Goodyear Ordered to Pay US$15 Million in Accident Ruling

A woman in the US state of South Carolina has been awarded $15 million after a federal jury concluded that Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America was responsible for the accident that left her with severe brain damage. After deliberating for 15 hours the jury returned with the decision that the tyre fitted to the motorcycle on which Michigan woman Trish McCloud was riding as pillion in May 2002 contained a defect that caused it to deflate. The motorcycle flipped and crashed, resulting in Ms McCloud striking her head on the footpath with so great a force that her helmet was not sufficient to prevent serious brain injury. The driver of the motorcycle was not seriously injured.

“The jury agreed with us that the tyre was made with a defect that caused it to fail prematurely,” stated one of Ms McCloud’s attorneys, Randy James. “Goodyear Dunlop refused to take responsibility for this tragedy and, instead, tried to blame others for its defective tyre.” Goodyear spokesman Scott Bachman said the company feels for the McCloud family but believes the accident resulted from a combination of the tyre being insufficiently inflated and too much weight being placed upon the motorcycle. He added that Goodyear is reviewing the verdict and is yet to decide its next course of action.

Jurors awarded $1.5 million for disfigurement and scarring, $4.89 million for pain and suffering, another $4.89 million for reduced quality of life and approximately $3.8 million for past and future medical costs. Ms McCloud is partially paralysed and reportedly needs around the clock care.