Carlton Fields Serves as Appellate Counsel in Successful Defense of Hyundai in Federal Product Liability Trial

MIAMI, FL – A national trial team that included Carlton Fields successfully represented Hyundai Motor Co. in a federal product liability trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, which challenged the safety and crashworthiness of a Hyundai vehicle.

The plaintiff, a rear-seat passenger in a 2016 Hyundai Accent, sustained high-impact injuries to her face and a mild traumatic brain injury when the vehicle was rear-ended on a Louisiana interstate by a modified Jeep Wrangler equipped with a front-mounted cattle guard. The plaintiff alleged that the rear structure of the Hyundai Accent was defectively designed and insufficient to protect occupants in the crash. She sought damages for past and future medical expenses, as well as noneconomic losses.

At trial, extensive evidence was presented demonstrating that the Hyundai Accent met all applicable safety standards and was among the safest vehicles in its class. The defense further showed that the vehicle’s rear structure was appropriately designed and performed as intended under the circumstances of the crash. Following a six-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning a verdict in favor of Hyundai.

Hyundai was represented by a team that included Tom Vanderford, associate general counsel of Hyundai; Robert D. Maxwell of Bernard, Cassisa, Elliott & Davis and Tom Bazemore of Huie as trial counsel; and Jeffrey A. Cohen of Carlton Fields as appellate counsel.

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