Ford Ordered to Pay $10 Million for Wrongful and Abusive Conduct

08/06/96

A State District Judge in Dallas slapped Ford Motor Co. with $10 million in sanctions for their behavior in response to a lawsuit that arose from a fatal accident in 1991. The court order gives Ford 10 days to pay, or be held in contempt.

The family and survivors of Heather Cohen of Dallas sued Ford for the alleged "catastrophic failure" of the brakes on her Ford Probe. Ford filed a countersuit against the parents and daughter of Heather Cohen.

During a two-day hearing that ended Monday, plaintiffs' attorneys complained Ford had allowed its attorneys to obtain documents improperly and made other allegations. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs and ordered Ford to pay the plaintiffs $10 million "to correct the harm and outrageous conduct committed by Ford Motor Company." The judge called the automaker's behavior "wrongful and abusive conduct."

Ford obtained a State Farm insurance file on Cohen and a report prepared for the insurer by an engineering company that inspected her car after the accident. Ford Spokesman John Harmon said the documents "conclusively" proved "that there was no brake failure" and that it had not obtained the information improperly. He said the company is sure the sanctions will be overturned on appeal.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel