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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bridgestone Set to Defend Itself in Court

Aired August 13, 2001 - 07:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Troubled tire maker Bridgestone/Firestone defends itself in court this morning. This is the first tire separation injury lawsuit that is going to trial. It is taking place in the south Texas city of McAllen -- that's right near the Mexican border.

And CNN's Ed Lavandera is in McAllen this morning -- good morning, Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Brian.

There have been about 400 lawsuits filed against Bridgestone/Firestone, and the company says it has settled about 40 percent of those cases so far. And as you have mentioned, what makes this particular case so significant is that as far as we know that in about three hours, opening arguments will begin in the first Firestone lawsuit that has actually gone to trial.

This case stems from a Ford Explorer rollover accident that happened in March of last year. A south Texas family was driving back from Monterrey, Mexico, when their '98 Ford Explorer rolled over. A woman in the car, Marisa Rodriguez, suffered brain injuries and is now confined to a wheelchair. Video released by the family's attorney show how the woman just needs constant care around the house.

In this lawsuit, Ford was also mentioned, but Ford has settled its part of the lawsuit in this case.

The quality of Firestone tires will be the central question around this case. The attorneys -- the Rodriguez family attorneys have about a dozen Firestone tires that have suffered tread separation that they are ready to show and put on display for us yesterday. And those -- they are ready to show those tires to the jury as well.

Firestone says it will make the Ford Explorer the basis of -- or the basis of its argument. They are trying to pin blame on this accident on the design of the Ford Explorers, saying the design problems causes it to roll over.

About 203 people have died in Ford Explorer related accidents, where Firestone tires were involved.

Of course, you will remember it was about a year ago -- it was a year ago this month that Firestone recalled about 6.5 million tires. And this entire process has cost Firestone about $1 billion. They have earmarked $1 billion to fight the lawsuits, to handle its lawsuits, to cover the cost of that, and also to cover the costs of the recall.

So in about three hours -- of course, this case could still be settled. Every case up until now has been settled. But in three hours -- a little less than three hours, opening arguments are scheduled to begin here in the federal courthouse in McAllen, Texas -- Brian.

NELSON: Ed, before you go, I've got a question for you. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration considering a recall of more than one million Firestone tires. Where does that stand?

LAVANDERA: Well, that's kind of all up in the air right now. But the federal government is trying to pressure Firestone into recalling more tires. Specifically the tires that it's looking at are the Firestone AT, ATX and AT II tires, but all 15, 16 and 17 inch tires. It gets a little convoluted, so bear with me. Firestone says that they are waiting to hear exactly from the federal government as to what it wants the company to do. And the federal government still hasn't announced officially, but those are the tires that a lot of industry analysts suspect that might be involved in this situation.

NELSON: All right. Many thanks, Ed Lavandera in McAllen, Texas.

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