BMW Owner Wins $1.9 Million Lawsuit Over Soft-Close Door Incident
Case Overview
In a recent legal battle, a 2013 BMW X5 owner successfully sued the automaker for $1.9 million after a soft-close door incident resulted in the loss of his thumb.
Key Points
- The jury held BMW accountable for the injury even though no defect was found in the door.
- Despite the ruling, BMW maintains that its vehicles are safe and has not indicated any changes to the soft-close door design.
The Incident
Godwin Boateng, a software engineer from New York, suffered the thumb injury when the soft-close door of his X5 SUV closed on his hand, severing his thumb. Despite BMW’s claims of no fault in the door mechanism, Boateng pursued legal action.
Lawsuit Details
Boateng filed a lawsuit against BMW, seeking $3 million in damages due to the permanent injury and potential loss of income as a self-employed professional. The case went to trial, and the jury awarded Boateng $1.9 million in compensation for the incident.
BMW’s Response
BMW defended its soft-close door system, stating that there were no defects and that the owner’s manual includes warnings about potential risks. The company emphasized that safety precautions should be followed to prevent such accidents.
Future Implications
While BMW was not found guilty of having faulty doors, the verdict raises questions about user safety and potential design changes in the future. The automaker’s stance on the incident and its commitment to customer safety remain under scrutiny.