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$14.4 Million Defective Car Verdict; Jury Finds Nissan Maxima Not Crash-Worthy

SHORT HILLS, N.J., July 26 -- A Morristown, NJ jury returned a $14.4 million verdict on behalf of a man who suffered paralyzing injuries after his 1995 Nissan Maxima was involved in a car accident.

On October 31, 1997, William Ziemer, a 45-year old husband and father of three small children, was driving his 1995 Nissan Maxima GXE when a car coming the other way crossed the center line. The front driver's side of each car impacted.

Mr. Ziemer sustained permanent brain damage as well as extensive and severe lower extremity injury. He will never walk again and has the mentality of a child.

Product liability attorney Cynthia A. Walters of Short Hills, NJ, argued that the car was defective due to its lack of crashworthiness due to design elements that permitted unreasonable intrusion into the driver compartment causing the catastrophic injuries.

It was shown at trial that the identical car was sold in Europe with the reinforcements that would have protected Mr. Ziemer and that they were not added to US models until 1996.

"This verdict shows that automobile manufacturers who have the technology must use it to protect occupants of their cars," stated Ms. Walters.

The jury award consisted of $3.5 million for Mr. Ziemer's loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering; $4.2 million for future care and medical costs; $1.2 million in lost wages; $2.5 million for his wife and $1 million for each of the children.

Defense attorneys were Jerry Cedrone and Bill Ricci of Lavin, Coleman, O'Neil, Ricci, Finarelli and Gray of Philadelphia, PA and Mt. Laurel, NJ.