Kory John Meyer v.

Products liability - 1992 Mercury Topaz driven by plaintiff hit a 900 pound moose on a dark highway. The moose hit the windshield and roof, crushing the roof and causing cervical spine injuries to plaintiff's neck which left him with partial use of his arms and hands and no function below his chest. Plaintiff alleged that the Topaz was defective and unreasonably dangerous in that the roof was not strong enough and that thicker sheet metal in the roof and a stronger windshield header would have prevented his quadriplegia. Ford asserted that the roof of the Topaz satisfied FMVSS 216 and the Topaz was stronger than the average automobile manufactured and sold in the United States at that time. Plaintiff's past medical bills were $800,000 and the cost of his future care was estimated at $3 to $4.5 million. Lost past wages were $100,000 and future lost wages were estimated to be $1.2 million. Plaintiff's attorney asked for $10 million in compensation. Ford produced studies showing the damage sustained by automobiles which hit a moose cadaver in Sweden and from the United States using a moose dummy.

Defendant's verdict.

Dennis Skogan, Madison, Wisconsin; Larry Bihlmeyer, Port Charlotte, Florida; and Joseph Burton, Decatur, Georgia.

Unknown

Editor's comment: Hitting a moose would be similar to hitting an adult quarter horse.