The first lawsuit over a death tied to Takata Corp.’s most recent airbag recalls has been filed in federal court by the brother of a woman from South Carolina who allegedly died after her airbag deployed in 2008. According to reports, the woman was driving a 2002 Honda Accord when she swerved off of the road and hit a mailbox as well as a tree. The airbag death lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina, claims that the woman died 18 days later in a hospital after she sustained spinal fractures, brain injuries, liver problems and respiratory failure.
According to the lawsuit, the airbag deployed with excessive force. The airbag death claim was pursued just one day after the senior vice president of Takata appeared on Capitol Hill for the first time. While Takata is under pressure by senators to investigate the alleged defect, a New York federal grand jury is also looking into the product.
The airbag death lawsuit names both Takata and its U.S. subsidiaries and Honda Co. Ltd. and the auto maker’s subsidiaries as defendants. Honda, as well as nine other auto manufacturers, have recalled more than 7.8 million vehicles throughout the U.S. over the alleged defect that could cause the airbags to explode and shower the drivers with metal shrapnel. In November 2014, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demanded that the recent recalls, which were previously limited to humid and hot climates, be expanded to include cars and trucks across the U.S.
More Airbag Death Lawsuits to Come
Takata and several auto companies are now facing more than 30 lawsuits, most of which are class actions filed on behalf of vehicle owners that accuse Takata and Honda of knowing of the defect as early as 2001. However, at least two of the claims have been filed in court by drivers who allegedly had been injured as a result of the reported defect.
Did You Have a Loved One Who Was Injured or Killed Because of Faulty Airbags?
If you lost a loved one and you believe that his or her death was because of Takata’s recalled airbag, contact Attorney Group for an evaluation of your case. We can review your case with no out-of-pocket costs to you. If we believe you have a claim against a defective airbag manufacturer, one of our affiliated attorneys can help you to pursue a monetary compensation for your loss. Call Attorney Group today to learn more.
