SIECK v. GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
RESULT: Defense Verdict In Suit Against General Motors Alleging Defective Center Pillar. Defense Contended That Center Pillar Failure Caused by Accident Severity
STATE: Pennsylvania
INJURY: Rev. Sieck suffered alleged Traumatic Brain Injury with mild frontal lobe deficit, fractured clavicle, fractured ribs, fractured nose, fractured vertebrae, fractured wrist, bruised heart and abdominal injuries. Rev. Sieck's medical expenses were $ 180,000.00. Mr. Sieck, a retired carpenter, did not claim any lost wages as a result of the accident.
Mrs. Sieck, the driver, suffered Traumatic Brain Injury and significant head and orthopedic injuries in the accident.
SUMMARY: The Reverend Clyde Sieck and his wife Fiorinda Sieck were seriously injured on July 25, 1992 when the their 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 traveling at 35 miles per hour collided head on with an approaching 1987 Ford Tempo which crossed the center median of a four lane highway in Strongsville, Ohio.
The Siecks filed suit against General Motors, in part, for failure to place air bags in the Delta 88. The district court found, on summary judgment, that plaintiffs' air bag claims were preempted by federal motor vehicle safety standards. In addition, Rev. Sieck, 62 years of age and weighing 230 pounds, claimed that his seat belt system was defective because the center steel pillar which anchored his shoulder belt to the car peeled away during the collision causing additional forward excursion and impact with the dashboard and windshield. Mrs. Sieck maintained a claim for loss of consortium. Rev. Sieck, weighing 230 pounds, alleged that the front passenger center pillar was defectively manufactured because of substandard weld quality and weld positioning.
Defendant contended that the center pillar complied with all specifications and federal motor vehicle safety standards. Moreover, defendant admitted that such a failure of the pillar was not observed in testing or out in the field. However, defendant offered expert testimony to show that the serious injuries suffered by Rev. Sieck were caused by the severity of the accident. Defendant's experts, Pamela Oviatt and Dr. Richard Stalnaker, testified that the belt loads on Rev. Sieck were life-threatening and were subsequently reduced when the seat belt pulled the center pillar apart during the accident.
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