Gibson v. Continental

Summary

A Michigan state court jury delivered a record-setting $896.5 million award on July 27th to a child injured in a car crash at a racing test track during a student field trip despite the defense making no settlement offers while also conceding liability.

The Oakland County jury returned its verdict following a trial that began on July 8. Defendant Continental Automotive Systems Inc. admitted responsibility for the events that sent a prototype test car careening into a group of onlookers next to a track that left a 10-year-old plaintiff with permanent brain damage and severe fractures. His father, Vincent Gibson, sued Continental on his behalf alleging the driver of the test vehicle lacked the proper qualifications, and that event organizers should have known putting spectators, especially children, so close to the guardrail would be unreasonably dangerous.

Outcome

$896,467,970 awarded to plaintiff