Billion-dollar lawsuit over alleged too-low Mitsubishi roof appealed
A Pennsylvania man's billion-dollar lawsuit against Mitsubishi, stemming from a 2017 crash and paralysis, was overturned and will be retried.Summary
A lawsuit filed by Francis Amagasu, who was paralyzed in a 2017 crash involving his 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT, has been appealed and will undergo a new trial. Amagasu’s family initially won a US$1 billion judgment, alleging safety defects in the vehicle, specifically a seat-belt design and a low roof that exacerbated his injuries. The suit claimed the seatbelt's 'rip stitch' design, intended to distribute forces in a crash, extended too far due to the car’s limited headroom. While the initial jury found in favor of Amagasu despite Mitsubishi’s argument that the car met safety standards, a judge has since vacated the verdict. The case centers on whether the vehicle’s design contributed to the severity of Amagasu’s injuries during a failed passing maneuver that resulted in a collision with several trees. Details regarding Amagasu’s height and the specific trim level of his 3000GT remain unclear, but the court documents and Mitsubishi brochures reveal the car’s relatively low height compared to modern vehicles.
(Source：Driving)