Johnny Williams v. Ford Motor Company
(January 2006)
McCranie Sistrunk Attorneys obtained a defense verdict for Ford Motor Company after a jury trial in Lafourche Parish. The unanimous defense verdict was returned on January 11, 2005 in the case entitled “Johnny Williams v Ford Motor Company” The plaintiff , a ship captain from south Louisiana, had exited his Ford Explorer leaving the engine running and the transmission not fully shifted to park. The vehicle moved in reverse and ran over the plaintiff causing severe orthopedic and eye injuries. Plaintiff claimed the transmission’s design was defective and caused the transmission to jump from park to reverse. Ford claimed plaintiff left his transmission in reverse and was responsible for his own injuries. The jury concluded the transmission was not defective under the Louisiana Products Liability Act after deliberating for one hour.