The Takata airbag scandal affected numerous car manufacturers worldwide. So far, six automakers who used the faulty airbags have agreed to settle the multidistrict lawsuits out of court. However, Ford Motor Company is still holding out, intending on seeing their day in court. Law 360 reports that the company is seeking the dismissal of new claims, citing that the new claims, filed in Florida, have no connection to Ford’s conduct within the state.
On Monday, representatives of the Ford Motor Company pushed back against new claims that have been filed in multidistrict litigation over the Takata airbags, which were defective. Their argument is that the new filings reach beyond the court’s order by adding an additional 36 plaintiffs and allege 24 new causes of action to the case.
Ford is the sole remaining defendant in the case where consumers allege that the faulty Takata airbags can misfire, sending deadly shrapnel flying through the vehicle. The airbags have been linked to 11 deaths in the United States alone. Other manufacturers, most recently Honda, have agreed to settle claims out of court.
In September, Honda agreed to pay $605 million in a deal to exit the MDL, which would speed the removal of the faulty airbags that still remain in Honda vehicles. Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, and BMW also exited the MDL, agreeing to pay a combined $553.6 million back in May. Nissan settled for $98 million in August.
Takata has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and has agreed to pay $1 billion in fines and restitution. In June, Takata filed for Bankruptcy in both Japan and in Delaware.
Have you been affected by a faulty Takata airbag? Let the attorneys at the law offices of John Foy & Associates fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today.