Highway guardrail manufacturer Trinity Industries, Inc. has been ordered to pay $663 million after a jury found that the company defrauded the United States government with respect to changes to its ET-Plus guardrail system. Alleged defects with the undisclosed changes have been linked to at least nine deaths.
If you were injured, or a loved one was killed in an accident involving a Trinity guardrail, contact Attorney Group today. We can discuss your options in a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation, and if you choose to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated Trinity guardrail attorney who can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Important: The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.
Claim: Trinity Defrauded the U.S. Government
According to a Bloomberg report, the penalty is the end result of a three-year legal dispute that involved Trinity Industries, a competitor, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Based on allegations that Trinity had defrauded the U.S. Government, a jury found that Trinity had sold the ET-Plus guardrail system to the FHWA without first informing them that they had made changes to the system in 2005. These undisclosed guardrail changes are claimed to cause the jamming of guardrails, making them penetrate vehicles rather than help them to slow down.
Trinity has been a defendant in more than 20 other cases related to its alleged failure to inform the counties and states to which it sold the ET-Plus that changes had been made to the guardrail system. While the $663 million verdict was originally $175 million, the Federal False Claims Act caused the award to increase to $525 million. The judge also added a $138 million penalty to the final judgment.
Injured Drivers or Passengers May Be Entitled to Compensation
Guardrail manufacturers have a duty to provide a safe product. If they fail to do so, they could be held liable for injuries caused by the product.
Drivers or passengers who are injured, or family members of those killed in accidents involving Trinity guardrails may be entitled to compensation for damages. Those who are injured may be entitled to compensation including medical expenses, loss of income or ability to work, or pain and suffering resulting from injuries.
Family members may be able to pursue claims on behalf of deceased loved ones, but for wrongful death damages. Wrongful death compensation can be based on pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from the loss of a loved one, medical expenses attributable to the loved one’s fatal injury, and loss of financial support.
The Time to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a Trinity guardrail, contact Attorney Group today for a free consultation to learn more about your options. We can answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated Trinity guardrail attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process. Your call is confidential and without any obligation, but the time to pursue a claim is limited, so contact us today.
