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CNN Saturday Morning News

Tire Maker Reaches Settlement With Paralyzed Woman

Aired August 25, 2001 - 07:13   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Bridgestone/Firestone has reached a settlement with the family of a Texas woman paralyzed in a rollover crash in a Ford Explorer. The agreement came as a jury was deliberating the first lawsuit involving recalled Firestone tires to get to trial.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Under escorted protection, a south Texas jury walks away from the McAllen Federal Court Building. This group was on the verge of deciding whether a Firestone tire or a Ford Explorer was to blame in a rollover accident that left a woman severely injured, their work cut short when Firestone and the Rodriguez family struck a deal.

The family says the settlement money will forever take care of Marisa Rodriguez's medical needs. Sources tell CNN Firestone will pay $7.5 million.

JOEL RODRIGUEZ, PLAINTIFF: We are pleased with the agreement we have settled right now. Marisa is our main concern right now. And I think we are going to get our lives back.

LAVANDERA: This trial was supposed to have been the first time a jury decided if Firestone Wilderness tires causes Ford Explorers to roll over. But like every case before it, a deal was struck and the blame game continues.

KNOX NUNNALLY, FIRESTONE ATTORNEY: The Ford product was what caused this accident, and that the tire manufactured by Firestone was a good tire and was not defective.

MIKAL WATTS, RODRIGUEZ FAMILY ATTORNEY: This tire is a tragedy on the American highways.

LAVANDERA: Ford, which was also sued in this case, paid the Rodriguez family $6 million before the case went to trial. Rodriguez family attorneys say it's just a matter of time before a jury gets a chance to pin blame on Firestone or Ford.

TAB TURNER, RODRIGUEZ FAMILY ATTORNEY: Our strategy is to make sure our clients are 100 percent taken care of. And if that means taking Ford on, so be it. If that means taking Firestone on, so be it. And one of these days there's going to be a nuclear explosion with both of them in the room.

NUNNALLY: And I hope it doesn't get to that. I think everybody would like to resolve all of this litigation on an amicable basis. I hope that happens. I think Firestone hopes that happens. I think Ford hopes that happens.

LAVANDERA: The judge has asked the jury not to speak with the news media about this case. The fear is, comments could influence the hundreds of cases still pending against Firestone and Ford.

(on camera): There are about 200 lawsuits still pending against Firestone and Ford. The tire maker says that the details that came out in this case will only help them in its battle against Ford. But remember that in this case, Ford never had the chance to defend itself in court.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, McAllen, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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