The 32-year old doctor died from multiple injuries as a result of the impact, and his family sued Majmudar, and his employer, Securatex, for damages. In defense, Securatex took on DaimlerChrysler Corp., maker of the Jeep, claiming that the vehicle had suddenly accelerated out of Majmudar’s control. A settlement was reached with the plaintiff, in which both defendants paid 50 percent each to the estate of Susarla, and preserved cross-claims against each other for contribution.
DaimlerChrysler Corp., the world’s fifth-biggest carmaker, had dealt with similar litigation before. From 1991 to 1996, the company received more than 300 reports of “sudden acceleration incidents,” resulting in a voluntary recall, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Robert Hanlon, of Edison, N.J.’s Hanlon Boglioli & Hanlon, served as lead defense counsel for DaimlerChrysler before, and made the trip to the Cook County courthouse for the three-week trial (Susarla v. Securatex, et al., 97 L 3631), which began on February 28, 2005.
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