MacManus v. Ford Motor Company
Tiffany M. Alexander of Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy obtained a defense verdict in MacManus v. Ford Motor Company, which involved allegations of a defective rear door latch in a 2002 Ford Explorer.
Mrs. MacManus, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and thrown over 50 feet. The plaintiffs allege that the door latch failed and unlatched, causing Mrs. MacManus to be ejected through the door. Ford demonstrated that the door latch was reasonable and safe as designed, and testing showed it could withstand forces much greater than the applicable standards required.
The jury deliberated for just 40 minutes and returned a verdict for Ford finding that the Explorer door latch was not defective.
Tiffany M. Alexander served as lead trial counsel for Ford Motor Company in this case.