Brian Lang McDowell v. Ford Motor Company
VERDICT
Trial
09/12/23 – 10/16/23
Summary
A California state court jury returned a defense verdict last year in one of the first lawsuits to go to trial over carbon monoxide from exhaust gas supposedly leaking into the interior of Ford sport utility vehicles.
The Orange County Superior Court jury returned their verdict on October 17 in a trial that began with opening statements in mid-September. Plaintiff Brian McDowell, a former Newport Beach police officer, claimed carbon monoxide caused him to pass out and crash his Ford Explorer police vehicle into a tree in 2015.
Outcome
Verdict for defendant.
- Plaintiff
- Defense
- Judge
- William Claster
- Jurisdiction
- Superior Court of California, Orange County
- Court
- Complex Civil Center
- Case Number
- 30-2016-0086652-CU-PL-CXC
- Industry
- Automotive
- Practice Area
- Products Liability
- Lay Witnesses
- Brambila, Rigoberto
- Callinan, Ryan
- Cano, Dr. Luz M.D.
- Chen, Dr. John M.D.
- De Arcos, Anthony
- Eikey, Chris
- Enrikhas, Sargon
- Farris, Officer Nathan
- Hovis, Anthony
- Jiang, Tao
- Jiang, Yale
- LaHood, Zachary
- Lewis, Paul Jr.
- McDowell, Jennifer
- McDowell, Brian
- Mesri , Officer Siavash
- Mills, Steve
- Moss, Ryan
- Panutich, Dr. Michael M.D.
- Parent, Officer Scott
- Psaros, Gregory
- Setti, Lokesh
- Solis, Jose
- Expert Witnesses
- Cundy, Dr. Michael Ph.D. (Materials Science)
- Durrani, Timur (Pharmacy & Toxicology)
- Fedoruk, Marion (Pharmacy & Toxicology)
- Formuzis, Dr. Peter , Ph.D. (Economics & Accounting)
- Hixson, Dr. John M.D. (Neurology)
- Kar, Dr. Naresh Ph.D., P.E. (Materials Science)
- Lechuga, Dr. David Ph.D. (Mental Health - Psychiatry, Psychology, & Counseling)
- Lewis, Paul Jr. (Engineering)
- McMillin, Jeremy (Accident Reconstruction)
- Meyer, Steven (Accident Reconstruction)
- Polkabla , Michael (Occupational Safety)
- Raphael, Dr. Elizabeth MD (Biomechanics)
- Sarkisian, Dr. Ricky "Ray" Ph.D. (Vocational Rehabilitation)
- Shah, Dr. Mohsin M.D. (Neurology)
- Stephens, Gregory (Accident Reconstruction)
- Tecoma, Dr. Evelyn M.D. (Neurology)
- Wagner, Dr. Kendall M.D. (Orthopedics)
- Woo, Dr. Andrew M.D. (Neurology)
- Zamiski, Gerald (Materials Science)
Sessions
PM Session
Other
2 Chapters
| Description | Attorney | Witness | Witness Expertise | Presence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 00:00:00 | General Case Activities | |||||
| 00:18:06 | End of Session |
AM Session
Openings
6 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
12 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
14 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
11 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
13 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
11 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
6 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
6 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
12 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
16 Chapters
PM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
5 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
8 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
6 Chapters
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
7 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
4 Chapters
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
5 Chapters
AM Session
Plaintiff Witness(es)
8 Chapters
PM Session
Defense Witness(es)
6 Chapters
AM Session
Defense Witness(es)
3 Chapters
AM Session
Closings
2 Chapters
PM Session
Closings
5 Chapters
AM Session
Closings
6 Chapters
Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.