Grimshaw v. Ford Exploding Gas Tanks by Trevor

crothecker50940 — 2016-01-28 14:58:22 UTC

Strict Liability

crothecker50940 — 2016-01-28 14:59:09 UTC

These cases usually involve manufacturers and their consumers. When the product made by the manufacturer harms the consumer without being altered the consumer usually has a Strict Liability case.

Why Strict Liability

crothecker50940 — 2016-02-01 14:37:12 UTC

Well based on the definition of Strict Liability, Ford is a manufacture and had made a car (the Ford Pinto) with a gas tank in the back causing the car to blow up when they were rear ended, because when hit the gas would leak out and would catch fire and explode.

What Happened

twittenbrink03884 — 2016-02-01 14:41:31 UTC

Lily Gray was driving her 1972 Ford Pinto with Richard Grimshaw, 13, in the passenger seat on May 28, 1972 when their car suddenly stalled in the middle of the freeway. The car rolled to a stop and the car behind them was able to swerve out of the way. The second car however was not so lucky. The car behind them was a Ford Galaxie that was traveling at a speed of about 50 to 55 mph, but was able to brake down to 27-38 mph when they rear ended Mrs. Grimshaw. As soon as the Galaxie made impact with the Pinto it was engulfed in flames. Lily Gray suffered fatal burns and later died from her injuries. Richard Grimshaw was also severely burned but survived the accident. Grimshaw would have to go through many surgeries after the event for years after the incident.

Who's who

crothecker50940 — 2016-02-01 14:42:10 UTC

The Defendant would be the Ford Motor Company. The plaintiff would be Grimshaw and the driver Mrs. Gray. Mrs. Gray and Grimshaw sued Ford Motor Company for the damages shortly after the accident in 1972.

Damages

crothecker50940 — 2016-02-01 14:48:15 UTC

Mrs. Gray died a few days later from congested heart failure due to the burns from the explosion. Grimshaw was awarded $2,516,000 compensatory damages and $125 million punitive damages; the Grays were awarded $559,680 in compensatory damages.

Whats Important

twittenbrink03884 — 2016-02-01 14:58:12 UTC

The Pinto was approximately only 6 months old and had had many problems up until the event occurred. Upon being rear ended the cars gas tank immediately exploded causing serious, even fatal wounds to the passengers. The car stalled in the middle of the freeway, the cause being later determined as the carburator sinking causing the engine to flood and stall.