Jury awards woman largest verdict in Colorado Springs history
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Wednesday, April 17, a federal jury in Colorado Springs issued the largest civil verdict in the city’s history, in a personal injury case against Ford Motor Company.
According to a press release from the Buzbee Law Firm, which represented the woman who was injured, Lorelle Thompson, the jury returned a verdict that awarded Thompson $45 million in punitive damages. The previous largest verdict in Colorado Springs was $33 million in 2019.
The case arose from an incident that occurred on Dec. 27, 2016, when Thompson got out of her 1998 Ford Expedition to check her mail, thinking she had placed the SUV in park. According to Thompson, due to an alleged defect in the car’s shifting system, at some point it went into reverse, rolling over the lower portion of Thompson’s left leg.
Thompson’s leg was broken in two places, and she suffered major muscle and nerve damage. According to Thompson’s law team, the evidence of the case revealed that the injuries were the result of a “false park” situation, as it was described by experts. The issue was apparently well known by Ford Motor Company dating as far back as 1980, but was never remedied, the law firm said.
The Buzbee Law Firm said the case was tried for a full week and two days, before the jury ruled against Ford Motor Company.
“We had said all along that this vehicle was defective,” said Tony Buzbee, lead counsel for Thompson. “Ford Motor Company fought us tooth and nail trying to deny what was obvious. I am very appreciative of the jury system and this jury. They definitely got it right.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
