For Immediate Release
Information contact: Kim Sailer, 561-684-6500 or
Kyle Zimmer, 561-626-0026, ext. 17 or Cara MacVane 561-626-0026, ext. 19
For Immediate Release - May 25, 2004
Couple settles lawsuit against Daimler Chrysler
OCALA, FL - In early December of 2000, Robert and Vickie Bennett were traveling in a 1997 Dodge Caravan westbound on State Road 200 in Ocala, Florida. Robert was driving the vehicle with his wife seated in the passenger seat. Both were properly wearing their lap/shoulder belts and the vehicle was traveling within the lawful/posted speed limit. Suddenly and without warning the Bennett's Caravan was struck in the rear by a vehicle driven by Michael McCabe.
As a result of the collision, the Bennett's vehicle spun out of control, veered off the road and rolled over. During the initial impact with McCabe's vehicle, Vickie Bennett's seatback collapsed and the Caravan's passenger side sliding door flew open. When the seatback collapsed, Vickie slid rearwards under her seatbelt and was ejected through the open sliding side door which had come open. She suffered severe - life threatening injuries from the accident. Today, her injuries continue to affect her health and wellbeing.
Attorneys Edward M. Ricci and Theodore J. Leopold, partners in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A. have successfully settled a suit on behalf of the Bennett's. The settlement was reached with Chrysler and McCabe for an undisclosed sum.
"We contended in this suit that Chrysler's seat design was defective and that Chrysler has known for over 20 years that their seat would catastrophically fail in a low to moderate rear end impact leading to devastating injuries to vehicle occupants." said Leopold.
"Sadly, the Bennett's and most consumers believe that the safety and reliability of a vehicle has been safely designed and tested and will provide protection to occupants in a crash, but all to often this is not true," Leopold added.
The suit originally filed in the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Marion County, Florida did not specify an amount of monetary damages being sought.
"While providing for Vickie's injuries and loss of capacity to enjoy life, we can only hope that the outcome of this settlement for the Bennett's will send up a red flag to consumers, but moreover to manufacturers that safety is first. If companies like Daimler Chrysler do not
- MORE -
Case involving Dodge Caravan settled (2)
respond to thorough safety testing being first order before bringing any product to market, these type of tragedies will most assuredly and sadly continue." Leopold concluded.
Theodore J. Leopold is a partner in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A. The firm founded in 1982, has five attorneys and is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with offices located at 2925 PGA Blvd. Mr. Leopold can be contacted at 561-684-6500. Additional information about this suit and settlement may be obtained from the firm's website at www.riccilaw.com.
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