Jonathan K. Christianson, et al vs.  American Honda Motor Co Inc., et al

Case Background

On December 19, 2018, Plaintiff Jonathan K. Christianson, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Cynthia Aehwa Christianson filed a Wrongful death lawsuit in the Georgia State, State Court of Clayton County (Case number: 2018CV02040). Judge Michael T. Garrett presided over the case.

Cause

Cynthia Christianson tragically died following a car crash involving a Honda vehicle, manufactured by The Honda Defendants, and inspected and maintained by Defendant Willett Honda South. The crash occurred when the vehicle failed to provide adequate protection during a foreseeable frontal collision and rollover event. The Honda Defendants designed, developed, manufactured, and marketed the vehicle with a defective occupant protection system that did not restrain Christianson during the crash. Willett Honda South, responsible for inspecting the vehicle before the accident, failed to identify or address these defects.

The Plaintiff, acting as the Administrator of Christianson’s estate and her surviving spouse, claimed that both The Honda Defendants and Willett Honda South knew, or should have known, about the dangerous defects in the vehicle’s occupant protection system. These defects exposed occupants to a high risk of severe injury or death in foreseeable accidents. Despite this knowledge, the vehicle was released into the stream of commerce without adequate warnings or alternative designs that could have prevented the tragedy.

Injuries

As a direct result of the defective design and failure of the seatbelt restraint system, Cynthia Christianson sustained several serious injuries. She suffered chest abrasions and a bruised heart. Additionally, she experienced right and left hemothorax and multiple broken ribs. Her injuries also included a distended abdomen and a retroperitoneal hematoma. Furthermore, she had left and right flank abrasions, along with fractures in both the left and right femurs. Lastly, she sustained fractures in both the left and right tibia and fibula. The vehicle’s defective occupant protection system exposed her to impact forces that caused traumatic injuries, ultimately leading to her death. Mrs. Christianson faced imminent death, experiencing significant terror, fright, and shock during the incident. The failure of the vehicle’s safety system to function as intended during the foreseeable crash caused her to sustain conscious pain and suffering before her passing.

Damages

The Plaintiff sought to recover damages for the wrongful death of Cynthia Christianson. They asserted claims for both economic and non-economic losses. This included damages for loss of consortium, companionship, and affection. The claim also covered medical expenses incurred following the accident. It included compensation for conscious pain and suffering before her death, as well as funeral expenses. The Plaintiff sought punitive damages aimed at penalizing the Honda Defendants for their willful and reckless conduct.

Additionally, the Plaintiff claimed damages related to the full value of Mrs. Christianson’s life under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2. This claim included her survival action, which encompassed mental and physical suffering, funeral expenses, and punitive damages.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Cynthia Aehwa Christianson | Jonathan K. Christianson, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Cynthia Aehwa Christianson
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Noah B. Abrams| Cale H. Conley | Lzandra V. Jones | James McKoon | Davis Popper
  • Defendant(s):American Honda Motor Co Inc. | Willett ImportsSouth Inc.
    • Counsel for Defendants: Harold D. Melton| Alan D. Thomas | Lanier Brown II | Lerin Barnes Wiggins

Claims

The Plaintiff brought multiple claims against both The Honda Defendants and Willett Honda South in a Wrongful death lawsuit. These included strict product liability for defective design, manufacturing, inadequate warnings, negligence, and breach of warranties. The Honda Defendants were accused of failing to design and manufacture a crashworthy vehicle, neglecting to incorporate feasible and safer alternative designs, and failing to warn owners and occupants about the dangers inherent in the vehicle’s design. Defendant Willett was accused of negligence in inspecting and maintaining the vehicle, allowing it to leave their facility in a dangerous condition.

The Plaintiff further claimed that both Defendants’ breaches of duty were the proximate cause of Mrs. Christianson’s death, entitling them to recover under Georgia’s wrongful death statute, loss of consortium, and survival actions. Lastly, the Plaintiff sought punitive damages against The Honda Defendants for their reckless conduct in designing a defective vehicle, which demonstrated a conscious disregard for public safety.

Defense

The Defendants categorically denied all allegations made by the Plaintiff in the complaint. They asserted that The Honda Defendants designed, manufactured, and sold the vehicle in compliance with all applicable industry standards. They followed all safety regulations, ensuring that the vehicle was crashworthy. Additionally, they maintained that it was safe for foreseeable events, such as rollovers and frontal collisions.

The Defendants maintained that the occupant protection and seatbelt restraint systems were not defective. They asserted that these systems provided adequate protection during the incident. Furthermore, they argued that the vehicle performed as expected. Any injuries sustained by Cynthia Christianson were not due to any negligence or defect on their part.
Furthermore, the Defendants asserted that they provided all necessary warnings and information regarding the vehicle’s safety features, denying any failure to warn about dangerous conditions. They claimed that all warranties were fulfilled and that the vehicle was fit for its intended purpose. Defendant Willett denied any negligence regarding maintenance or inspections, stating that all procedures were followed properly. They maintained that the vehicle left their facility in a safe condition.

Jury Verdict

On September 13, 2024, the jury awarded $17,000,000 in compensatory damages to the Plaintiff and against the Defendants in a Wrongful death Lawsuit.

Court Documents:

Available Upon Request