Far too frequently, people sustain serious personal injury, or even more tragic are wrongfully killed, because of dangerous and defective products. A claim for product liability can be made for several reasons: 1) design—the way the product is designed makes it dangerous, whether it is the product itself or the packaging; 2) instructions—the instructions accompanying the product fail to adequately warn the user of possible hazards or the consequences of improper use of the product; or 3) manufacturing—there is a material used in the product or a manner of manufacturing that makes the product unreasonably dangerous. When a legitimate product liability claim exists, all companies or entities involved in the chain of distribution of the product are potentially liable for all personal injury damages or wrongful death damages that have been suffered. In the event that you or a loved one has sustained a personal injury from a defective product, you should take steps and call a Massachusetts product liability personal injury lawyer right away.
Robert Rosner was sitting in his stopped car when Vincent Espinvera slammed into him on Interstate 78 in Greenwich Township, Pennsylvania and caused a domino effect of accidents. After being hit, Rosner’s car caught on fire, and lodged onto the car that was stopped in front of him. Because of the impact from Rosner’s vehicle, that car rear-ended a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which killed Edward and Theresa Dearden. Rosner was also trapped in his car and eventually died. A total of three people were killed and many more were injured. Espinvera was charged with three counts of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, and 17 counts of reckless endangerment.
According to carcomplaints.com, the Dearden family has filed a lawsuit against Chrysler alleging that the 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees are “fire traps” because of the gas tanks that are mounted behind the rear axle. The lawsuit alleges that the tanks can easily leak gas and thereby cause a fire because there is a lack of protection behind the gas tank. The lawsuit also states that Chrysler ordered a recall on the 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee; however, by that time, four years had passed and the gas tanks had already allegedly caused at least 56 deaths. Moreover, the lawsuit alleges that Chrysler failed to let the Deardens know about the recall within 60 days.
This is not the first lawsuit and settlement paid by Chrysler in regards to a Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicle. In 2015, a family filed a lawsuit against Chrysler when their four-year-old daughter was killed in a rear-impact crash. The family received close to $150 million in damages.
Our Boston, MA product liability personal injury lawyer experts are here to help! Call us today at 617-787-3700 or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com.
