Johnson Et Al V. Rush Enterprises, Inc. Et Al

Case Background

On January 24, 2019, Plaintiff William Lee Johnson, an incompetent adult, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Jerrad Johnson  filed a product liability lawsuit in the United States District Court, California Eastern (Case number: 2:22cv422). This case was assigned to Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone.

Cause

On December 21, 2018, a CNG truck explosion at a fueling station in Buttonwillow, Kern County, California, caused life-altering injuries to William Lee Johnson. Johnson, a co-owner of B & N Trucking, Inc., had recently purchased a Kenworth tractor equipped with a CNG fuel system. Rush Enterprises, Inc. (doing business as Momentum Fuel Technologies) designed and installed the system. Carleton Technologies, Inc. and Cobham PLC manufactured the carbon fiber cylinders, while Papé Trucks, Inc. sold the truck and its defective fuel system.

As Johnson attempted to refuel the truck for the first time, one of the carbon fiber cylinders ruptured. The CNG truck explosion sent debris flying hundreds of feet. The blast destroyed the Kenworth truck, severely damaged the fueling station, and left Johnson with catastrophic injuries. Investigators later determined that critical design and manufacturing defects caused the fuel system failure. The plaintiffs alleged that the product liability lawsuit arose from the defendants’ negligence in designing, manufacturing, and installing the fuel system.

Injuries

Johnson suffered severe injuries due to the CNG truck explosion. The intense blast caused a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and internal damage. The force threw him backward, rendering him unconscious. Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors diagnosed permanent neurological impairment.

The explosion also inflicted orthopedic injuries, requiring multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. His injuries left him unable to work, preventing him from running his trucking business. The CNG truck explosion not only caused physical harm but also led to cognitive and emotional distress. Johnson struggled with chronic pain, memory loss, and difficulty performing daily tasks. His permanent disability required full-time care, significantly impacting his family

Damages

The product liability lawsuit sought compensation for extensive financial losses and emotional suffering. Johnson incurred significant medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation. His newly purchased Kenworth truck was destroyed in the CNG truck explosion, leading to financial strain on B & N Trucking, Inc. Without the truck, the company struggled to operate, further compounding the losses.

Joan Johnson, his wife of 37 years, filed a loss of consortium claim. She endured emotional distress, loss of companionship, and the burden of caring for her injured husband. The lawsuit argued that the defective fuel system not only harmed Johnson physically but also caused financial and emotional hardship for his family.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s):William Lee Johnson, an incompetent adult, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Jerrad Johnson | Joan Johnson
    • Counsel for Plaintiff:Christopher J. Hagan | David K. Cohn | Chad Boyles | Matthew C. Clark | Thomas C. Seabaugh
  • Defendant(s):Natural Gas Fuel Systems, Inc. d.b.a. Momentum Fuel Technology | Carleton Technologies, Inc.| Cobham PLC | Papé Trucks, Inc.
    • Counsel for Defendants:David V. Sack | James J. Yukevich | Justin Marvisi | Christopher J. Dow | Michael Gallagher | Alyssa C. Garchie | Esther P. Holm | Ryan Lee Nilsen

Claims

The plaintiffs filed multiple claims against Rush Enterprises, Inc., Carleton Technologies, Inc., Cobham PLC, and Papé Trucks, Inc. They asserted strict product liability, arguing that the CNG fuel system’s defective design and poor manufacturing caused the explosion. The lawsuit alleged that the system posed an unreasonable risk to users.

The plaintiffs also claimed negligence, stating that the defendants failed to conduct proper testing and quality control. They argued that the manufacturers and distributors knew or should have known about the risks but failed to provide adequate warnings. The complaint further contended that safer alternative designs existed, yet the defendants failed to implement them.

Additionally, the lawsuit included claims for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability. The plaintiffs argued that the defective fuel system failed to meet reasonable safety expectations. They asserted that the defendants prioritized profits over consumer safety, disregarding industry standards.

Defense

The defendants denied liability and raised multiple legal defenses. They argued that the plaintiffs’ claims were barred due to the statute of limitations and failure to state a valid cause of action. They also contended that the plaintiffs failed to mitigate damages and that third parties’ negligence caused the injuries.

The defense maintained that they acted reasonably and in good faith. They argued that Johnson and other involved parties contributed to the accident through improper handling of the CNG fuel system. The defendants also claimed that any defects in the fuel system were unforeseeable at the time of manufacture.

Additional defenses included contributory negligence, assumption of risk, and lack of proximate causation. The defense alleged that independent or intervening causes, such as modifications by third parties, led to the explosion. They also claimed that the plaintiffs or other entities breached warranties or contractual obligations, barring their claims.

Jury Verdict

On February 7, 2025, the jury found Cobham, Momentum Fuel Technology, and Papé Trucks, Inc. liable for Johnson’s injuries. The jury determined that each company’s actions contributed to the harm suffered. The verdict assigned 80% responsibility to Cobham, 10% to Momentum Fuel Technology, and 10% to Papé Trucks, Inc.

The jury awarded $15,000,000 in damages against Papé Trucks, Inc. to William Lee Johnson and Joan Johnson for their strict products liability claims. Additionally, the jury awarded $498,921.33 against Papé Trucks, Inc. to Markel American Insurance Company as subrogee of American Natural Gas, LLC.

Papé Trucks, Inc. also received $3,099,784.27 against Carleton Technologies, Inc. for equitable indemnity. The jury further awarded $10,849,244.93 against Natural Gas Fuel Systems, Inc., doing business as Momentum Fuel Technology, in favor of Papé Trucks, Inc. The total damages awarded in the case amounted to $29,447,950.53.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com