Kenneth B. Moll & Associates, Ltd. filed an amended class action complaint on October 3, 2000, seeking certification of a worldwide class on behalf of all United States, Venezuelan and all other foreign citizens that suffered economic damages, personal injury or death as a result of additional defective tires, designed, manufactured, sold, and distributed by Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. and Ford Motor Co. Today, Judge Charles P. Kocoras, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, entered an order allowing the amended complaint to be filed.

VENEZUELA

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The complaint adds Plaintiff Aurelio Fernandez-Concheso who heads the Asociacion Propietarios de Camionetas Explorer (Association of Owners of Explorers) in Venezuela, a group that includes almost 400 Venezuelans seeking recovery for property damage, reimbursement and loss of resale value to their SUV’s on behalf of all Venezuelans.

The complaint also adds Plaintiff Jesus Gererdo Subero Pulgar, a Venezuelan Air Force Major and fighter pilot who sustained serious and permanent injuries including the loss of his right index finger preventing him from resuming his previous employment. Major Pulgar is seeking recovery for personal injuries and death on behalf of all Venezuelans.

Ford’s own investigation found that in Venezuela, 14 percent of the Firestone 15 inch tires showed signs of tire tread separation. The number of Firestone 16 inch tires with tire tread separation was even higher at 17 percent. Reports from Venezuela indicate that Firestone tires have been involved in as many as 400 accidents resulting in 100 deaths. Venezuelan media have dubbed the defective Firestone tires as “assassin tires.”

ADDITIONAL TIRES

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According to information from the National Highway Transportation Safety Authority (NHTSA) released on September 28, 2000, over 2,200 individuals have filed complaints with the NHTSA regarding tire tread separation and other tire failures associated with these tires. The statistics include over 101 fatalities and over 400 reported injuries. The NHTSA urged Firestone and Ford to include other tires not previously included in their recall.

The original complaint filed by Kenneth B. Moll & Associates, Ltd. included the following tires:

  • All tires under the recall – 15 inch ATX and ATX II tires manufactured in North American and Wilderness AT 15 inch tires manufactured in the Decatur, Illinois plant; and
  • Tires not included under the recall – all ATX, ATX II manufactured in North America (15″, 16″, 16.5″, etc.) and all Wilderness AT tires manufactured at all of the 7 North American plants.

    The amended complaint filed by Kenneth B. Moll & Associates, Ltd. adds the following tires:

  • All Firehawk ATX, ATX 23 Degree, Widetrack Radial Baja, Widetrack Radial Baja A/S, Wilderness HT tires, Steeltex R4S and Steeltex A/T light truck tires.

    Attorney Kenneth Moll said, “the primary goals of this class action are to (1) ensure a fully inclusive recall of all defective tires, (2) ensure a speedy and fully reimbursed exchange of all defective tires and (3) compensate all persons throughout the world, including Venezuelans and citizens of all other foreign countries, who suffered economic damages, personal injury or death as a result of defective tires designed, manufactured, sold, and distributed by Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. and Ford Motor Co.”