$5 Million Verdict Against DaimlerChrysler for Pregnant Mother Struck by Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV With Park-To-Reverse Defect

CHALMETTE, La. (Business Wire EON) April 9, 2008 -- Scott Nealey, Bruce S. Kingsdorf, Dawn Barrios, and Van Robichaux, counsel for Juli and August Guillot, announce that a Louisiana-state jury in St. Bernard Parish yesterday found DaimlerChrysler liable for the death of the Guillot’s child, Collin Guillot, and injuries to Juli, August, and their then 3 year old daughter Madison. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of $5,080,000 in compensatory damages. With pre-judgment interest the verdict is over $7,200,000. The jury found that a defect in the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s transmission, called a park-to-reverse defect, played a substantial factor in Collin Guillot’s death and the severe injuries suffered by Mr. and Mrs. Guillot and their daughter.

The devastation suffered by this family was horrific, and stood out even in a Parrish which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. We all thank the Jury for their time and for setting this family free from the guilt and consequences of this horrible accident.

On May 21, 1999, Mr. and Mrs. Guillot and Madison got into the family vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, to drive them to the hospital for the delivery of the couple’s second child. The Guillots were in the front seat when Mrs. Guillot exited the SUV to assist her young daughter in the back seat. Moments later, Mr. Guillot got out of the vehicle to retrieve his cell phone in the back of the SUV.

Several seconds after he exited the SUV, and while he was next to the rear wheel, it moved in powered reverse. Ms. Guillot was pinned between the open rear door of the SUV and a brick carport column and severely injured. In a horrific and tragic injury, the force of the impact ruptured her uterus, and forced Collin into her abdominal cavity. Collin was delivered by emergency cesarean section but suffered extensive brain damage for lack of blood and oxygen caused by the crushing injury. He died 17 days later in his parents’ arms after being taken from life support.

Mr. Guillot initially believed that he left the Jeep Grand Cherokee in reverse prior to exiting it because he was unable to think of an alternative explanation. He was investigated for criminal negligence by the local sheriff’s office. At the time that Mr. Guillot was racked with guilt and grieving the loss of his son, Chrysler was aware of the incident and sent an investigator to gather information. Chrysler never informed the Guillots or law enforcement authorities that the vehicle had a defect in its transmission that could have caused the tragic accident.

Only when a Los Angeles Times reporter contacted the Guillots more than two years after the accident did they learn of the park to reverse defect in the transmission of Chrysler vehicles and realized they were not responsible for the death of their son.

“We suffered the worst loss any parent can experience,” stated Mr. and Mrs. Guillot. “When we learned that Chrysler knew for years that its vehicles had a defective transmission, we were outraged and determined to hold the corporation accountable. We thank the jury for its careful review of the evidence and verdict against DaimlerChrysler. We also appreciate the Judge who made us feel so comfortable in the legal environment.”

“The undisputed evidence showed that Colin Guillot died because DaimlerChrysler ignored a known defect in its vehicle. It denied hundreds of complaints before the Guillot’s tragedy occurred, jeopardizing the safety of its customers,” commented attorney Scott P. Nealey of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. “Had DaimlerChrysler dealt with the defect many years ago when customers first complained about park-to-reverse problems, Colin would be alive today. That Chrysler had over 200 complaints of park to reverse accident on Grand Cherokees before this tragic accident, and did nothing to fix the vehicle is inexcusable.”

Plaintiffs’ co-counsel Bruce S. Kingsdorf of Barrios, Kingsdorf & Casteix, LLP, stated, “The devastation suffered by this family was horrific, and stood out even in a Parrish which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. We all thank the Jury for their time and for setting this family free from the guilt and consequences of this horrible accident.”

To learn more about the park-to-reverse defect and which Chrysler vehicles contain it, please visit www.vehicle-injuries.com

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