Wal-Mart Loses Tyre Failure Lawsuit

American retail giant Wal-Mart must pay US$4 million in damages to a woman following court proceedings stemming from a vehicle accident caused by tyre failure. Following the accident, plaintiff Carolyn Thorne instigated lawsuits against Wal-Mart as well as Continental Tire, Ford and a Ford dealership, alleging that each of these parties were in part responsible for her injuries.

Ms Thorne was paralysed in a one-vehicle crash on April 24, 2004, when the tread on the left rear tyre of her Ford Expedition SUV separated, causing the vehicle to strike the median barrier. Wal-Mart’s legal counsel argued that the company should not be held responsible for the tyre failure as they neither supplied or installed the vehicle’s tyres, however Thorne argued that since she had her vehicle serviced at Wal-Mart the company had some responsibility in the case. Ms Thorne took her SUV to Wal-Mart to have it serviced just days before the accident. Allegedly the Wal-Mart service she opted for included tread and pressure inspections and tyre rotation. Greg Allen, one of Ms Thorne’s legal representatives, said that the tread check should have revealed a bulge where the tread was separating.

According to Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley, the company will not appeal the verdict. “We disagree with the decision, but we will respect it,” he said. Thorne settled with manufacturer Continental Tire, Sonic Automotive/Friendly Ford and with the Ford Motor Co. prior to trial, obtaining undisclosed sums from each party.