ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed a jury's $43 million award against Ford Motor Co. for a fiery crash near Granite City that killed a man and disfigured his wife.
John and Dora Jablonski in July 2003 were headed home to Florissant, Mo., when they were hit from behind. A pipe wrench in the Joblonskis' car trunk pierced the gas tank of their 1993 Lincoln Town Car.
Attorney Brad Lakin contended the design of the car, with its fuel tank behind the rear axle, caused the fire. He said Ford should have warned owners or retrofitted the vehicles with safety devices.
The Supreme Court ruled Illinois law doesn't require a company to warn of defects not detected before the product left the manufacturer.
Lakin couldn't be reached for comment.
