Fuel Fed Fires

Our attorneys have developed a strong national reputation for results in post-collision fire cases.

Wasilik v. Ford (Fuel Siphoning After Compromise of Fuel System), $26.4 million verdict. A post-collision fuel-fed fire resulted when gasoline siphoned out of the fuel tank in a head-on collision causing serious burns to those involved. Mr. Wasilik was awarded $26,407,402.43 for severe burns. At the time, this was the largest tort verdict awarded in the state of Maryland.

Mathes v. Ford (Fuel Tank Puncture / Trucking Accident), $12.5 million verdict. Another vehicle collided into an F-150 causing the fuel tank to be punctured. A large fire resulted and three people were burned to death. This case resulted in a $12.5 verdict for Mr. Mathes, whose son and parents burned to death in this collision, which also involved a semi-truck.

Baker v. GM (Fuel Siphoning After Compromise of Fuel System), $11.3 million verdict Two adults burned to death in a post-collision fuel-fed fire that resulted from a defect in the car - namely, that the car did not have an anti-siphoning device. The jury awarded $11.3 million for the family of the two people in this case. This case was the very first in the country to have admitted into evidence what has been termed the "Ivey Memo," in which a General Motors engineer compared the cost of fixing fire-causing defects with the deaths that resulted from vehicle fires. GM concluded that it could only spend $2.25 per vehicle to prevent fires - after that, it was in GMs economic interests to pay wrongful death lawsuits rather than fix the problems.

Alexander v. GM (Torn Fuel Line / Door Locking Mechanism), Confidential Settlement. A torn fuel line caused a fire and the plaintiff sustained serious injuries. This case resulted in a confidential settlement while the jury was deliberating on its verdict.

Clark v. GM (Side Saddle Gas Tank), Confidential Settlement. A pickup, designed with sidesaddle gas tanks, ran off the road and struck a culvert that compromised the tanks. A post-collision fuel-fed fire resulted, killing the driver. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Dobbs v. GM (Fuel Tank Puncture), Confidential Settlement. A post-collision fuel-fed fire in a General Motors C/L truck resulted in serious burns to a victim because the gasoline tank was punctured when the vehicle slid off the road and hit a tree. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Gribat v. GM (Side Saddle Gas Tank), Confidential Settlement. A General Motors C/K truck was involved in a head-on collision resulting in the rupture of the sidesaddle tank. The accident caused a burn death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Head v. GM (Ruptured Fuel Tank), Confidential Settlement. A General Motors C/K truck struck a tree and ruptured its gas tank, resulting in a post-collision fuel-fed fire. The fire caused severe burns and death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Hinderks v. GM (Punctured Fuel Tank), Confidential Settlement. A gasoline tank was punctured when another vehicle struck a General Motors C/K truck causing a post-collision fuel-fed fire that resulted in burn deaths. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Hundelson v. GM (Ruptured Gas Tank), Confidential Settlement. A General Motors C/K truck struck a tree and ruptured its gas tank, resulting in a post-collision fuel-fed fire. The fire caused severe burns and death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Klarlund v. GM (Ruptured Fuel Tank), Confidential Settlement. This case involves a collision fuel-fed fire with a General Motors C/K truck in a T-bone accident. The gasoline tank ruptured and the plaintiff was burned to death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Moore v. Ford (Fuel Siphoning After Compromise of Fuel System), Confidential Settlement. Mrs. Moore was burned to death in a post-collision fuel-fed fire that resulted from the siphoning of gasoline out of the tank. Additionally, Moore was trapped inside her vehicle because the doors were defective and would not open.

Pierce v. Honda (Ruptured Fuel Tank), Confidential Settlement. A Honda passenger car collided with a guardrail, riding up on top of it. This collision sliced the tank open and caused a fire. There were numerous burn victims and a death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Shaffer-Kleoppel v. GM (In-Cab Gas Tank Puncture), Confidential Settlement. This case involved a post-collision fuel-fed fire where the gasoline escaped from a gasoline tank inside the passenger compartment of a General Motors pickup truck. The plaintiff suffered severe burns. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Turner v. GM (In-Cab Fuel Tank Puncture / Aged Tire), Confidential Settlement. Travis Turner was driving a General Motors pickup when one of its tires experienced a catastrophic detread. Travis lost control of the truck and collided with another vehicle. The fuel tank, which was located inside the cab of the truck, was compromised and Travis burned to death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement.

Williams v. Ford (Fuel System Compromise), Confidential Settlement. A Ford Thunderbird was rear-ended by another vehicle. Williams, a police officer in Maui, Hawaii, was trapped underneath the burning Thunderbird and burned to death. This case resulted in a confidential settlement before the jury was impaneled.