Huie Obtains Unanimous Defense Verdict in Seat Belt Case

Huie trial lawyers Greg Schuck and Elizabeth Davis McCoy tried a case for Ford Motor Company to a unanimous defense verdict on August 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The case arose out of a single vehicle rollover crash in Lawrence County, Alabama, in which the Plaintiff’s decedent was partially ejected and killed.  Plaintiff brought suit against Ford Motor Company alleging that there was additional webbing in the seat belt which proximately caused the partial ejection and fatal injuries.  Plaintiff asked the jury for $15 million in damages.

The Ford trial team proved that the seat belt system functioned properly at the time of the rollover crash, continues to function properly today, and was not the cause of the additional webbing in the system. The team further proved that the partial ejection was due to the unique nature of the crash as well as the occupant’s size, and that the proffered alternative designs would not have prevented the fatal injuries.  At the close of trial, the jury returned its verdict in favor of Ford. Greg and Elizabeth tried the case along with Jeff Doss of Lightfoot, Franklin & White, who provided excellent appellate support throughout the case. Mindy Ruggiero served as the trial team’s paralegal.