Injured Truck Driver Awarded $11.4 Million Following Accident Involving Defective Manufacturing
After nearly five years of waiting, Raymond Mariolle finally prevailed in court after seeking justice for severe injuries sustained in an accident while driving a garbage truck. According to an article in The San Francisco Chronicle, Mr. Mariolle, a Waste Management driver for more than 20 years, was seriously injured when the front wheel of his truck collapsed and the vehicle dropped to the ground. Our San Francisco accidents lawyers often explain to residents that unsafe driving or negligent vehicle operation is not always the cause of accidents. At times damaging incidents on the road may be due to the negligent manufacturing of vehicle components.
Front Hub of Truck Collapsed and Wheel Fell Off
The accident in this particular case occurred in October 2007 as Mr. Mariolle was driving the truck near the Livermore Airport. Unexpectedly, the right front hub of the truck collapsed and the wheel fell off as the truck was still in motion. Upon investigation by Mariolle’s attorneys, it was discovered that various manufacturers who had a part in making the hub knew that the component was defective and posed a risk when used on vehicles. Consolidated Metco made the hub, Volvo Truck built the cab and chassis, and Wittke Manufacturing designed the truck. Despite their knowledge of the defective hub, all of these manufacturers failed to warn drivers and the public.
As a result of the manufacturers’ faulty production of vital components to the truck and their failure to satisfy their standard of duty to warn, Mariolle suffered permanent injuries. Following the accident it is impossible for him to return to work at full capacity. As a result of this accident he suffered compression injuries on his spine, requiring him to undergo three surgeries. Despite continued medical treatment, he is far from fully recovered. He still experiences severe pain from the injuries sustained from the accident.
Various Manufacturers of the Hub Knew About the Defective Component Risks
Under civil law, manufacturers are held strictly liable for injuries caused by a defective product. In order for an injured party in California to prevail in such a lawsuit, he/she must prove that (1) the defendant-manufacturer is a merchant, (2) the product was defective at the time of the accident, (3) the defect existed at the time the product was relinquished from possession by the defendant-manufacturer, and (4) the injured party used the product in a foreseeable manner. If all of these elements are satisfied, then the injured party will receive compensation for his/her injuries sustained from the defective product.
In this particular case, the jury found that Mr. Mariolle had satisfied all of the above elements, and therefore awarded him damages that included $2.4 million for lost wages and medical costs and $7.5 million for pain and suffering.
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Unfortunately, accidents due to faulty manufacturing of seemingly safe products happen frequently. Our experienced truck injury lawyers in San Francisco are dedicated to helping protect you and fight for your rights. Click now to make a free appointment.
Boone Callaway is a personal injury & medical malpractice lawyer in San Francisco who has been working with clients in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Mr. Callaway is one of only a few personal injury litigators in San Francisco who is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated and is also a member of ABOTA – American Board of Trial Advocates.
