Attorneys for people suing Takata air bags maker and five automakers say the car companies knew that Takata’s products were dangerous yet continued to use them for years because they were inexpensive.
The allegations against Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and BMW were made in a court filing Monday in Miami. The federal court there is handling pretrial evidence-gathering in dozens of lawsuits against Takata and the automakers. The filing says the allegations are partly based on auto company documents.”
The penalties include $850 million in restitution to automakers, $125 million for victims and families and a $25-million criminal fine.
Separately, three former executives are charged with falsifying test reports. They remain in Japan.
Takata’s inflators use ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates airbags in a crash. But when exposed to prolonged high temperatures and humidity, the chemical can deteriorate and burn too fast. That can blow apart a metal canister.
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Strype Injury Lawyers, Toronto’s manufacturing liability law firm: Whether the product is a faulty automobile airbag, hairdryer, a child’s toy, tainted meat, artificial hip, or an automobile tire, manufacturers must ensure that products are designed and made safely.
Manufacturers must have quality control systems in place to prevent defective products from entering the market. They also need to provide adequate directions and warning labels to protect consumers.