Jury Orders GM to Pay $122 Million
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A jury ordered General Motors to pay $122 million in a lawsuit alleging a defective door was to blame for the severe brain injuries suffered by a 12-year-old boy in a car wreck.
An Alabama law limiting punitive damages automatically cuts the award to $82 million, said GM spokesman Jay Cooney. He said the car's design met or exceeded every federal safety standard, and the automaker will appeal.
Thursday's verdict stemmed from a two-vehicle collision in 1999. Jeffrey Jernigan was in the front seat of a 1993 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with his seat belt on when the passenger compartment of the car collapsed on him, said plaintiff's lawyer Jere Beasley.
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The boy's father sued GM, contending the car was defective.
"GM put a cost-reduction program into effect prior to the manufacture and sale of the Oldsmobile, which resulted in significant safety problems," Beasley said.
The verdict consisted of $22 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages.
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Beasley said the money will help the family care for the boy for the rest of his life.