confidential settlement – tire tread separation causes roof to crush in rollover

An Oakland, California man, supporting three minor children, was driving his passenger car to work on Highway 50 over the Altamont Pass near Livermore, California. He lost control of his car when the right rear tire tread separated, causing the car to leave the road and rollover. The tire separated between the belts due to oxidative degradation over time, making it susceptible to tread separation. The car roof collapsed over his head, causing paralyzing injuries. He had recently purchased four used tires from a tire dealer in Oakland. We settled the case against the auto manufacturer for the crushed roof and the case against the tire retail seller for $1,700,000 and then brought a lawsuit against the tire manufacturer and settled the case before trial for a substantial confidential settlement.