Law Firm Wins $43 million Verdict Against Ford Motor Company for Dangerous Design of Lincoln Town Cars
| For immediate release | For more information: Brad Lakin 618/254-1127 |
Brad Lakin and Charles Chapman, of LakinChapman, won a $43 million verdict against Ford Motor Company on behalf of a St. Louis area couple whose 1993 Lincoln Town Car erupted into flames after an accident on I-270 near Chouteau Township in Madison County, Illinois. A wrench in the Jablonski's trunk punctured the fuel tank during impact resulting in a fire.
Lakin successfully argued that the design of the Lincoln Town Car's fuel tank increased the risk of fuel-fed fires and fatalities. The same design is utilized in the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria.
John Jablonski, Sr. and his wife Dora Jablonski were both badly injured when their vehicle burst into flames. Mr. Jablonski suffered burns over 80% of his body and died of his injuries two days later and Mrs. Jablonski suffered permanent burns over 32% of her body and is unable to walk.
Brad Lakin said, "This is an important case for the Jablonski's who suffered horrible injuries, but it has national implications for those whose lives were put at risk due to this fuel tank design."
Lakin explained that the 1993 Lincoln Town Car was designed with a vertical-behind-the-axle fuel tank that increased the risk of fire in accidents. "We contended that this design feature has been linked to numerous deaths and that Ford knew this design was dangerous yet took no action to protect the public."
Chapman said, "An alternative tank location, a shield or a simple warning would've prevented this fiery tragedy and many others." In response to the safety concerns of various police agencies and many burn injuries and deaths in 2001 and 2002, Ford made available a trunk pack with Kevlar (bullet proof vest type material) and a warning to place items laterally in the trunk to avoid puncturing the fuel tank during impact. Although civilians are exposed to the same dangers, they have never been provided the same life saving information.
"We hope this verdict creates awareness concerning the civilian car owners not to place items in their trunks that may puncture the fuel tank during a rear end collision," Lakin said
Click the links below to view photos of the protective trunk pack and the warning provided to police agencies.
