Like most automakers (and large companies in general) Ford faces its fair share of lawsuits on a regular basis, centered around topics ranging from workplace issues to mechanical problems and even injuries or deaths. The Ford Expedition has been the subject of more than one lawsuit in recent years as well, and now, one of those legal cases has resulted in a big payout for the owner of a 1998 model year SUV.
According to Car Complaints, Ford has been ordered to pay $57 million dollars to the plaintiff in the lawsuit Lorelle Thompson v. Ford Motor Company, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. This lawsuit was originally filed back in 2018, claiming that Thompson – the owner of the 1998 Ford Expedition – ran into a mailbox in 2016, after which she reportedly put the vehicle in park and exited it to survey the damage. However, that’s when disaster struck.
“When she stepped onto the ground, she slipped and fell on her back, with her left leg positioned behind the vehicle’s front left wheel,” the lawsuit reads. “The vehicle then unexpectedly self-shifted into powered reverse and began to roll backwards. The vehicle rolled over plaintiff’s left leg, resulting in fractures to her tibia and fibula.” The lawsuit claimed that this was the result of a “park-to-reverse” defect, which happens “when there is inadequate mechanical force (‘detenting force’) to ensure that a vehicle always defaults into an intended gear position (such as park or reverse) when an operator inadvertently does not fully shift into the very center of the intended gear position.”
The original lawsuit was dismissed in 2019 without prejudice, which allowed the plaintiff to take additional action. That’s precisely what she did, and this time around, the jury sided with Thompson and placed 100 percent of the blame for this incident on Ford, awarding her $57 million for her troubles. It’s unclear at this time if Ford plans to appeal the decision, however.
We’ll have more on this and all of Ford’s legal cases soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford lawsuit news, Ford Expedition news, and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
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It seems like she should have sued Damian instead.
Probably the dumbest decision I have ever heard of. 'unexpectedly self-shifted into powered reverse'? Really? How about she didn't shift it all the way into park. AND the owner's manual is VERY clear - 'ALWAYS APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN EXITING VEHICLE'!!
So, she hits a mailbox, puts the truck in park or says she did, but did not turn off the engine? Then gets out, slips and falls with her leg perfectly positioned behind the left front wheel, and then the car magically engages reverse and runs her over. OK. And thats worth 57 Million? Our legal system is beyond broken.
I bought a new 1976 Ford Elite in 1976 and it would shift from park to reverse on its own. I’d place it in park and exit to unlock a gate and away it went.
Let's break down what this broad did to earn $57MM:
1. Struck a (stationary) mail box while "driving".
2. Failed to turn the vehicle ignition off before getting out to survey her handywork.
3. Failed to put the vehicle in park.
4. Exited the vehicle and fell on her back (because gravity).
5. Ran herself over after sticking her leg behind the wheel of her SUV.
I'm guessing her Expedition recognized she was a menace to public safety and decided to take the matter into its own hands, or she was drunk. Or both.
Sounds like a DUI to me
I know in my younger days of drinking I did some stupid stuff. Humming?
And if was anybody other than corrupt Donald they would be spending some time behind bars. GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS. Humming.....
I can't stand how stupid jury's can be. Not Ford's fault at all. She's not entitled to a dime. Ford better appeal this stupid decision. And get a judge this time at least they'll have a little bit of sense people in the jury these days are dumb
Stupid libtard jury. No common sense. She should have shut off ign.
And set brake.
I had the 1998 Expedition, the 2000 Expedition and the 2001 Expedition.....never had it go into reverse after I put it in park.
If she ran into a mailbox, I guess she was drunk and didn't get it into park.