NEW YORK, N.Y. /eNewsChannels/ — NEWS: Reports of at least four deaths and nearly 150 injuries from exploding airbags that hurl jagged, razor-sharp pieces of shrapnel at drivers and passengers spurred leading national law firm Weitz & Luxenberg to today announce it is preparing for a class action suit against airbag manufacturer Takata Corp.
The exploding airbags are installed in 12 makes of automobiles from model years 2001 to 2011 and create a risk of death, serious injury, and economic loss for roughly 11 million vehicle owners in the U.S. alone, the firm said.
“We are now reviewing this airbag defect for a potential class-action,” said Weitz & Luxenberg attorney Robin L. Greenwald. “Takata will have to answer for the deaths, injuries, and loss of resale value of all those cars that have the defect.”
Weitz & Luxenberg also opened an investigation into whether automakers knew about the defective airbags, Greenwald added.
Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg’s Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection unit, provided a toll-free phone number that car owners can call to reach the law firm.
The number is (877) 732-8792, she said.
Additionally, Greenwald announced the debut of a website that motorists can visit for details about the Takata exploding airbags and to request more information about the potential Takata exploding airbag lawsuit.
The website address is http://airbagrecall.org, Greenwald said.
Takata Exploding Airbags Being Recalled:
Recalls of vehicles equipped with Takata exploding airbags have already begun. Greenwald explained that the problem with the Takata product is that a small explosive charge meant to safely inflate the airbag during an accident generates excessive heat and causes the bag to violently rupture.
When the airbag bursts, the blast unleashes a potentially lethal torrent of metal fragments on the car’s occupants, she indicated.
“The last thing drivers and passengers expect is for a device meant to save their lives to become the instrument by which their lives can be lost,” Greenwald said.
“Takata has known for a decade about the exploding airbags problem and the reasons why they explode, yet Takata has allowed these defective devices to be installed in millions of cars,” she added. “Takata should be held accountable for this.”
At this time, the known makes, models, and years of the vehicles fitted with the Takata exploding airbags are:
* Acura CL, 2003
* Acura RL, 2005
* Acura MDX, 2003-06
* Acura TL, 2002-03
* BMW 323i 2000
* BMW 325i, 2001-05
* BMW 325ci, 2001-06
* BMW 325it, 2002-03
* BMW 325xi, 2001-05
* BMW 325xit, 2002-03
* BMW 328i, 2000
* BMW 330i, 2001-06
* BMW 330ci, 2001-06
* BMW 330xi, 2001-05
* BMW M3, 2001-06
* Ford GT, 2005-06
* Ford Mustang, 2005-07
* Ford Ranger, 2004
* Honda Accord, 2001-07
* Honda Civic, 2001-05
* Honda CR-V, 2002-06
* Honda Element, 2003-11
* Honda Odyssey, 2002-04
* Honda Passport, 2001
* Honda Pilot, 2003-07
* Honda Ridgeline, 2006
* Infiniti FX, 2003
* Infiniti FX35, 2003-05
* Infiniti I30/I35, 2001-03
* Infiniti FX45, 2003-05
* Infiniti M34/M45, 2006
* Infiniti QX4, 2002-03
* Isuzu Rodeo, 2000-01
* Lexus SC, 2002-05
* Lexus SC430, 2002-05
* Mazda 6, 2003-07
* Mazda Speed6, 2006-07
* Mazda MPV, 2004-06
* Mazda RX-8, 2004-08
* Mitsubishi Lancer, 2004-05
* Nissan Maxima, 2001-03
* Nissan Pathfinder, 2001-04
* Nissan Sentra, 2001-06
* Pontiac Vibe, 2002-05
* Saab 9-2X, 2005
* Subaru Baja, 2003-05
* Subaru Impreza, 2004-05
* Subaru Legacy, 2003-05
* Subaru Outback, 2003-05
* Toyota Corolla, 2002-05
* Toyota Matrix, 2002-05
* Toyota Sequoia, 2002-05
* Toyota Tundra, 2002-05
GM Previous Weitz & Luxenberg Target:
The firm said Takata is not the first corporate giant from the automotive world against which Weitz & Luxenberg has initiated aggressive legal action for harms done to drivers, passengers, and car owners.
The firm has targeted General Motors because of its defective ignition switch. Weitz & Luxenberg said it determined GM knew about the defect for many years but kept it secret in order to protect its profitability.
Meanwhile, people lost their lives on the highway and others were injured because of it, the firm indicated.
“Our efforts against GM include more than 100 class actions and numerous personal injury lawsuits, all being overseen by a multidistrict litigation court,” said Ms. Greenwald, whom that court appointed to serve as plaintiffs’ liaison counsel – a move that bolsters the ability of Weitz & Luxenberg to influence development and fulfillment of the litigation strategies required to triumph over GM.
About Weitz & Luxenberg:
Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., is among the nation’s leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg’s numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg’s more than 25 years of experience handling such cases. You can contact the firm’s Client Relations department at 800-476-6070 or at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.
More information: http://www.weitzluxenberg.com/ .
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