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Young woman burned - state law said vehicle manufacturer not responsible

Confidential Settlement

A 15-year-old girl was sitting in the back of a Mustang that the driver had parked on the side of the road. Another woman who was driving and crying ran off the road and into the Mustang, and it caught fire. The young girl was burned on more than 70% of her body and nearly died. She had years of medical care ahead of her, suffered great pain, and lost some of her fingers.

Florida had a law at the time stated that if a vehicle was more than 12 years old, you couldn't hold the manufacturer responsible for malfunctions. Nine law firms had rejected the case. Attorney Ed Ricci found a way to still sue the manufacturer outside of Florida, where the vehicle was made. This was a precedent-setting case. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. The final result was a major settlement. The young client Marlo Mahne Argon has gone on and led an inspirational life, even founding The Herbert Mahne Family Foundation which assists juvenile burn victims.

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