A woman in Nevada was reportedly seriously injured by a defective Takata airbag inflator when shrapnel punctured her throat during a minor accident in early March 2017. To date, almost 200 people have been injured or killed by defective airbag inflators manufactured by Takata Corp. Affected drivers, passengers, and their families may be eligible to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a defective airbag lawsuit attorney.
If you have been injured, or a loved one has been killed by a defective Takata airbag inflator, contact Attorney Group today. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you wish to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Recalled Inflators Could Reportedly End Up in Used Cars
A Nevada woman’s injuries as a result of a minor accident raise new questions about dangerous and defective airbag inflators made by Takata. According to the Associated Press in a report published by the L.A. Times, the woman’s 2002 Honda Accord was declared a total loss in 2015, salvaged and somehow resold with a recalled Takata airbag, possibly removed from an older-model wrecked Accord. Federal and state laws permit junkyards to legally recycle recalled car parts, including Takata airbag inflators and other airbag assemblies, and sell them to repair shops without having to disclose their history.
Inflators installed in older-model Hondas were found to have a 50 percent chance of blowing apart, making those inflators among the most dangerous made by Takata. Takata, unlike other airbag manufacturers, used ammonium nitrate to cause a small explosion to inflate their airbag. Over time, the chemical deteriorates when heat and humidity levels rise, potentially causing the chemical’s metal container to blow apart, the website reported.
To date, at least 16 people have been killed and more than 180 people have been injured by Takata airbag inflators worldwide. The dangerous airbag inflators have been the subject of numerous recalls, with over 69 million inflators recalled in the U.S. and approximately 100 million worldwide.
How a Defective Takata Airbag Inflator Lawsuit Can Help
Although the manufacturer has agreed to pay a fine, including millions of dollars to a victim compensation fund, drivers or passengers who are injured by a defective Takata airbag inflator may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries. Compensation can include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and ability to work
- Pain and suffering
If the actions of the airbag manufacturer are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
If a loved one dies as a result of a defective Takata airbag inflator or airbag, his or her family members may be able to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
