Safetyforum.com Helps Attorneys Contribute to NHTSA's Firestone Investigation

    ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 6 Safetyforum.com, a product safety
research firm, recently completed a comparative analysis of various databases
and provided NHTSA with information about litigation involving 19 deaths that
previously had not been included in the agency's Firestone Wilderness AT tire
defect investigation.  The research firm has been working with NHTSA to ensure
that the agency's investigation into Firestone tires is as accurate and
complete as possible.
    "With the death toll currently at 174 and rising, Firestone needs to
recall all of the Wilderness AT tires it has put on the road," said Ralph
Hoar, director of Safetyforum.com.  Safetyforum.com has criticized Ford and
Firestone for not doing enough regarding the combination of Firestone tread
separation and Explorer rollover problem.
    "Lawyers play an important role in improving product safety.  Information
obtained from litigation can and should be an essential element in a
government defect investigation.  Lawyers who have provided information to
assist the Firestone investigation are doing a service for all citizens as
well as for their clients," Hoar added.  He recognized the contributions of
Little Rock Attorney Tab Turner in assisting with the Safetyforum.com research
and NHTSA's investigation, as well as increasing public awareness.  Turner is
Safetyforum.com's "Attorney of Record" for tires and vehicle stability.
    Safetyforum.com has documented more than 280 personal injury lawsuits
involving Firestone tire failures that have been filed in the U.S.
Information obtained by the research firm about those lawsuits has been
provided to NHTSA.  From the data provided, NHTSA found 19 fatalities that
have not been reported by Ford, Firestone or individuals who have contacted
the agency.
    "We know that not all fatalities have resulted in lawsuits.  We also know
that we have not identified all of the lawsuits that should be included in our
database. This raises the serious concern that some deaths and injuries are
still uncounted.  Firestone tire failures and resulting rollovers are likely
to be a more serious problem than we know," Hoar said.
    For further details go to http://www.safetyforum.com .

    CONTACT:  Tab Turner, Little Rock, Arkansas
              501-791-2277
              Ralph Hoar, Safetyforum.com
              703-469-3700