Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.

Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw

Gerry Nelson v. Ford Motor Company

Date: 05-17-2001

Case Number: RA 98-227

Judge: Art Encinas

Court: District Court, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Plaintiff's Attorney: Kurt LeVitus, LeVitus Law Offices, Chicago, Illinois

Defendant's Attorney: Richard A. Bowman of Bowman and Brooke, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jill S. Goldsmith of Bowman and Brooke, Phoenix, Arizona; and Jeffrey M. Croasdell of Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Description:

Products liability claim - 1993 Ford F350 pickup - Gerry Nelson sustained a broken back on December 5, 1995 when the Ford pickup in which he was a passenger which was being driven by John Sturdevant left the road in northwest New Mexico and rolled over. Sturdevant was killed in the accident. Nelson claimed that the vehicles front-end accessory drive belt was defective and caused a power-steering failure.

Ford asserted that the accident was caused by Mr. Sturdevant's driving and not by any defect in the pickup. Sturdevant had been drinking on the day of the accident.

Outcome:

Defendant's verdict.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Jerry Campbell, Sour Lake, Texas, mechanical malfunctionn expert and John Dailey, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, accident reconstructionist

Defendant's Experts:

Eduardo Martinez, College Station, Texas, accident reconstructionist; Michelle Vogler, Novi, Michigan, accident statistician; and Perter Rogulsky, Fenton, Michigan, mechanical engineer, and Dr. Richard Mason, San Jose, California, toxicologist

Comments:

Plaintiff sought $5 million in damages. The Sturdevant case is scheduled for trial later in 2001.

About This Case

What was the outcome of Gerry Nelson v. Ford Motor Company?

The outcome was: Defendant's verdict.

Which court heard Gerry Nelson v. Ford Motor Company?

This case was heard in District Court, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, NM. The presiding judge was Art Encinas.

Who were the attorneys in Gerry Nelson v. Ford Motor Company?

Plaintiff's attorney: Kurt LeVitus, LeVitus Law Offices, Chicago, Illinois. Defendant's attorney: Richard A. Bowman of Bowman and Brooke, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jill S. Goldsmith of Bowman and Brooke, Phoenix, Arizona; and Jeffrey M. Croasdell of Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

When was Gerry Nelson v. Ford Motor Company decided?

This case was decided on May 17, 2001.