Three young sons of Casey and Melanie Barber have been awarded $14.4 million in connection with a 2006 Ford rollover accident, which killed the San Diego couple. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Superior Court jury made the decision January 11, 2011 in the lawsuit against Mossy Ford. The fatal car accident occurred July 31, 2006. Barber was driving his Ford E350 Sportsmobile van on Highway 98 in Arizona when a tire tread separation caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The Ford rolled over and both Barber and his wife, Melanie, died.
Faulty Tire Repair Caused Tread Separation
Attorneys for the Barber family argued that the dealer, Mossy Ford, performed a faulty tire repair, which led to the fatal car accident. They said the damage to the tire was so severe that the dealership should not have even tried to repair it. The Barbers' sons were 8, 5 and 3 at the time of the accident. Prior to this trial, attorneys for the children reached an $8.3 million settlement with other defendants who worked on the van. No details on that settlement were revealed due to a confidentiality agreement.
Holding Wrongdoers Accountable
My heart goes out to the three young children, who will forever miss the love, care and companionship of their parents. They will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm relieved that the jury in San Diego made the right decision to hold the dealer accountable for the faulty tire repair. I congratulate the plaintiffs' attorneys who did a great job of presenting this case to the jury. These attorneys are good friends and fellow members of Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), which is a professional association for attorneys who represent plaintiffs and consumers who seek to hold wrongdoers accountable.
My partner, Brian Chase, is the vice-president of this remarkable organization. Brian himself is a respected auto products liability lawyerwho has fought large auto makers, including Ford, on behalf of injured victims and their families.
This accident is yet another reminder that when tire failure is combined with a poorly designed vehicle, the consequences can be deadly. When tire tread separation occurs at freeway speeds, it is extremely difficult for the driver to regain control of the vehicle.
No amount of money is going to "compensate" these children for the loss of loving parents. There is no price tag that can be slapped on the value of parents. Hopefully, the money from the settlement and the trial will help these children build their future, and at the same time send a strong message to auto makers and dealerships that they will be held responsible for their wrongdoings.
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