Salinas, et al. v. Nissan

Summary

In this product liability case, sisters Shanel and Nicole Salinas were involved in a car accident. The Salinas' car, a 2011 Nissan Altima, was hit by a drunk driver, allegedly resulting in Shanel suffering a serious traumatic brain injury requiring 24/7 care.

Plaintiffs, the Salinas sisters, sue Nissan, claiming that the front passenger airbag system possessed a dead zone, resulting in Shanel's head striking a pillar in the car. Representatives for the siblings argue that Nissan's identical design on both the passenger and driver's side airbags did not take into account how passengers often sit farther back than drivers. This lack of consideration, they assert, led to Shanel's severe injury, preventing her from living an independent life.

Defendant Nissan claims that their airbag functioned properly and had been tested numerous times, but the collision with the pickup truck was too severe to avoid Shanel's injury. Representatives for Nissan assert that evidence fails to support conclusions that Shanel's head hit the pillar, as she was not diagnosed with a skull fracture.

Outcome

Verdict for plaintiff.
Total damages: $20,641,626.

Apportionment of fault:
Fernando Ortiz: 100%
Nissan Motor Company: 0%