Mcgee v. General Motors Corp.

McGee v. General Motors
Court Broward County Circuit Court, Florida
Decided 18 May 1998
Transcript(s) http://www.leagle.com/decision/20021847837So2d1010_21710
Court membership
Judge sitting Judge Arthur J. Franza

McGee v. General Motors was a 1998 court case in which the jury awarded plaintiffs Robert and Connie McGee $60 million.[1] The trial revealed hidden information about a General Motors fuel tank design. General Motors (GM) was alleged to have sacrificed vehicle safety measures in favor of additional profit.[1] This case was featured on CNN, 60 Minutes, The New York Times, and USA Today.[1]

Background

On July 3, 1991, Robert and Connie McGee were traveling with their children Kelly and Shane in their 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser.[2] While stopped at a toll booth, the car was hit by a trailer which had disconnected from a truck several lanes away, driven by Curtis Cayton.[2] The impact caused the trailer tongue-head to pierce the car’s gas tank, resulting in a gasoline explosion.

After the accident, Shane McGee died as a result of severe burns to 98% of his body. Robert, Connie, and Kelly survived, but needed skin grafts to repair burn damage. Connie had to undergo reconstructive surgery due to extensive burns on her hands and face.

The McGees settled with the truck driver out of court, but sued General Motors for intentionally failing to provide adequate safety measures on the car.

Trial and Verdict

During the trial, testimony from several former General Motors engineers showed that the design of the fuel tank was too thin and placed too close to the ground. Also, internal documents showed that the placement of a metal shield could protect the most vulnerable parts of the gas tank and greatly improve safety, at a cost of $4.50 per vehicle.[3]

The case was tried at the Broward County Circuit Court in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and the plaintiffs were represented by Robert W. Kelley, John J. Uustal and Sheldon Schlesinger.[4] General Motors was represented by James Feeney, Bud Kirk, Daniel Gerber, Terrence Russell and Jay Lefkowitz.[4] On May 18, 1998, the jury returned a verdict of $60 million in compensatory damages, and ruled that both General Motors and Curtis Cayton were at fault.[2][5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Documents: GM knew of safety problems". CNN. February 14, 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Jury Orders GM to Pay Couple $33 Million Over Death of Son". Los Angeles Times. May 19, 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  3. ↑ HENRY FITZGERALD JR (May 12, 1998). "Gm Cold-hearted, Attorney Says". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Family Gets Relief". Sun Sentinel. May 19, 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "$33M Jury Verdict Against GM". CBS News. February 11, 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
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