Federal Court Judge Sends National Class Action Lawsuit Against Firestone Steeltex Tires Back to California Courts

    LOS ANGELES--Jan. 10, 2003-- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. and Bridgestone Corporation today received a major setback in a national class action lawsuit filed against them for alleged defects in the Firestone Steeltex tire series. Following a hearing in the Western Division of the Central District of the United States District Court in Los Angeles, CA, Judge Christina A. Snyder granted the motion of plaintiffs' attorneys to remand the lawsuit back to the California Superior Court.
    Filed on August 13, 2002, the lawsuit alleges that the defects have resulted in thousands of tire failures in Steeltex R4S, R4S II and A/T tires, causing injuries and multiple deaths. Causes of action against the two defendants in the lawsuit include: Fraudulent Concealment, Deceptive Practices in Violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Violation of Unfair Practices Act, Strict Liability, Negligence and Breach of Warranty.
    Commenting on the remand of the case back to the California Superior Court, Joseph L. Lisoni of the Pasadena, CA-based law firm of Lisoni & Lisoni, which filed the lawsuit, noted that the case was originally filed in the state court and that is where it properly belongs.
    Lisoni remarked: "Now that it has been returned to its proper court jurisdiction, we are now hopeful that the defendants will not prolong this litigation. Our main goal has always been to get the Steeltex tires off the streets and we urge Bridgestone/Firestone to recall them immediately. By doing so, they will not only save more accidents, deaths and injuries but minimize the damage to their reputation as well."
    Lisoni emphasized that should Firestone not take the "proper decisive action that is needed," the lawsuit will proceed as well as the public education program that has been initiated to warn consumers of the potential danger that could result from Steeltex tire defects. Concurrently, he added, a campaign is in process to enlist the aid of federal, state and local government representatives and agencies in taking whatever action is appropriate to protect the health and safety of Americans.
    Regardless of the outcome of the litigation, Lisoni stressed that his firm is working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get it to reopen its investigation of the Steeltex tire series which it suspended on April 9, 2002. On November 15, 2002, Lisoni formally petitioned the NHTSA to reopen the investigation. On December 23, in a written request, the agency asked for additional information and documentation to support the petition, which Lisoni has indicated he will provide very soon.
    "Time is of the essence," Lisoni noted, adding: "whether through the lawsuit, the NHTSA petition or other government action, we will not cease our efforts until the more than 30 million Steeltex tires Bridgestone/Firestone has produced are not a threat to the public's safety any more."