Palm Beach County Product Liability Settles After Tire Defect
A vehicle's tire tread separated, causing the vehicle to lose control, roll over, and strike a guardrail. The occupants of the vehicle, including minors, allegedly sustained injuries from the accident. Claims were filed against the tire manufacturers and the vehicle manufacturer, alleging product liability and negligence.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- Undisclosed
- County
- Palm Beach County, FL
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Rollover
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
An incident occurred on Florida's Turnpike in Martin County, FL, when the left rear tire tread on a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer allegedly separated, causing the vehicle to lose control, roll over, and strike a guard rail. The vehicle's driver and three minor passengers reportedly sustained injuries.
The injured parties, including the driver and the parents of the minors, filed a product liability lawsuit in the Florida Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court for Palm Beach County. They sued multiple entities, collectively referred to as "tire defendants," including Sumitomo Corporation of America, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, TBC Corporation, TBC Retail Group, Inc., and General Motors, LLC. Claims alleged manufacturing and design defects, inadequate warnings, and negligence. The defendants asserted affirmative defenses such as comparative negligence and lack of causation.
The case concluded with multiple confidential settlements. The court approved an initial settlement with Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and TBC Corporation. Following a summary jury trial with General Motors, LLC, the parties attended mediation and reached a separate confidential settlement with General Motors. The action was subsequently dismissed.
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