Jury Rules In Favor Of Ford In Product Liability Suit

On November 23, jurors delivered a favorable verdict for Ford Motor Co. after nearly six weeks of testimony in a personal injury suit.

In October 2004, Kenneth Holmes filed suit in Jefferson County, Texas, alleging that his 1995 Ford Ranger was defective and dangerous.

The case went to trial six years later on October 23 in Judge Milton Shuffield’s 136th District Court.

The Jefferson County jury was asked to determine if Holmes’ truck had a “design defect,” which was a “producing cause” of his alleged injuries.

According to court records, on March 4, 2003, Holmes and former defendant Guillermo Cardona were involved in a motor vehicle collision. He claims a design flaw in the truck caused him to sustain a head injury.

But jurors did not find Ford at fault for Holmes’ injuries, clearing the company of negligence.

Most of the jurors said they found the witnesses and experts produced by Ford to be more credible.

During the trial, Holmes’ treating physician, Dr. R. Lilly testified that the collision had caused a “significant impact” on his health, most likely impairing him for the remainder of his life. But during cross examination, he admitted that Holmes had not sought treatment from him after the crash and no physician referred him to his Houston office.