The Washington Post/Bloomberg report on fines being levied against the Japanese company responsible for the Takata airbag recall for its failure to cooperate in an investigation by federal agencies into why airbags are failing, sometimes with reportedly deadly results. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $14,000 per day fine for each day fails to cooperate in an investigation being led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following reports by the agency that Takata “hasn’t been completely forthcoming in its answers to investigators.”
If you have been injured or a loved one killed by an airbag that deployed in a vehicle, contact Attorney Group today to learn about your options. You could be eligible to file a Takata airbag recall lawsuit and seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, or wrongful death damages for your deceased family member. Our consultations are free, confidential and without obligation. If you have a case, we can connect you with an affiliated Takata airbag recall attorney who can assist you in pursuing your claim.
Takata Airbags Linked to Injuries 
and Death, Prompts Recalls and Lawsuits
In October 2014, the NHTSA announced a recall by Takata of more than 10 million vehicles in the U.S. and 16 million cars worldwide following reports that airbags in the vehicles had the potential to rip upon deployment and release metal fragments into the passenger area. This alleged defect risks causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants due to the high velocity with which the metal fragments travel, which some people familiar with the problem have compared to shrapnel. In one accident, investigators reportedly assumed that the person injured had been attached and stabbed in the face and upper body before they realized her injuries were caused by metal from the airbag.
As a result of allegations that defects with Takata airbags are resulting in injuries and deaths, attorneys are filing Takata airbag recall lawsuits. Complaints claim that the airbags are defective and pose an unreasonable danger to drivers, passengers and others on the roadway. Injured parties are seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and scars and disfigurement. Families of those killed in an airbag accident claim funeral expenses, conscious pain and suffering, and the loss of companionship and support of their loved one.
Fines Resulting From Takata’s Failure to Cooperate with Federal Investigators
According to the Washington Post/Bloomberg:
“NHTSA said it asked Takata to answer questions in separate special orders last year on Oct. 30 and Nov. 18, according to a letter sent to the parts maker. Takata has produced more than 2.4 million pages of documents but didn’t respond to requests for clarification on the agency’s specific questions, according to NHTSA.
… [For that reason,] U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said earlier Friday that Takata hasn’t been completely forthcoming in its answers to investigators and will be fined $14,000 for each day it fails to cooperate. The fines could reach a maximum of $70 million based on U.S. law.”
Have Questions or Been Injured by a Recalled Takata Airbag?
If you have questions about the ongoing Takata airbag recall, or if you have been injured or a loved one killed by an airbag that deployed in a vehicle, contact Attorney Group. We can answer questions and discuss your situation to help you determine whether you have a claim. If you do, we can connect you with an affiliated Takata airbag recall attorney who can help you pursue the compensation to which you may be entitled.
