Ford loses $31 million

Ford to pay $31 million in South Carolina verdict.  Jesse Branham III, 17 was a 12 year old teenager who suffered brain injuries in a Bronco II rollover accident in 2001.

The verdict is the largest jury award in 2006 against an automaker, according to Bloomberg.

Jesse was a rear-seat passenger in a 1987 Bronco II when it flipped. Branham's family who sued on his behalf, said the Bronco II rolled over because it is inherently unstable. They also claimed the seat belt was defective.

The Hampton, South Carolina, state court jury awarded $16 million in actual damages and $15 million in punitive damages. Ford will appeal. Their defense is driver error, failing to control the vehicle after leaving a paved surface and lack of seat belt restraint.

The jury found Ford 55 percent responsible and further found the driver was 45 percent responsible for the accident. However, in South Carolina Ford is responsible for the entire verdict.

The accident occurred after the driver took her eyes off the road, and the vehicle began drifting. She steered hard to the left, causing the SUV to roll.

The case is Branham v. Ford Motor Co., No. 02-CP-25374, in Court of Common Pleas, Hampton County, South Carolina.

Public Citizen has a document chronology regarding Ford and the (click this link:  Bronco II). We found it very helpful while researching Ford internal documents. Although it focuses on the Firestone tire safety defect, a clear picture of the Bronco II / Explorer development process can be seen.  

For more Bronco II verdicts against Ford click "MORE INFO" here.