Despite requests from government officials to establish a fund so that all victims affected by exploding Takata airbags may be justly compensated, the Japanese auto part manufacturer has declined.
According to a recent article featured by CNN Money, Senator Richard Blumenthal requested that Takata Corp. set up a compensation fund for individuals who suffered injury or the loss of a loved one due to their recalled and defective airbags, noting a similar fund established by General Motors after their massive ignition switch recalls. However, yesterday the company reported that while they do plan to compensate victims, no fund will be set aside.
“We are committed to treating fairly anyone injured as a result of an inflator rupture,” said spokesman Jared Levy. “Takata has settled a number of injury claims and will continue to do so based on the facts and circumstances of individual cases.”
Also on Thursday, Honda announced that they would be recalling an additional 4.5 million vehicles equipped with potentially faulty Takata airbags. This brings the most recent count of vehicles affected by Takata airbag recalls to 57.5 million worldwide. For at least a decade, it has been reported that the inflators in these airbags may be defective and cause the airbags to deploy with such explosive force that they send shrapnel flying throughout vehicles. At least 100 serious injuries and 8 deaths have been attributed to recalled Takata airbags thus far, and those numbers are expected to grow—even by Takata executives.
Since Takata has refused to set aside a compensation fund, victims who have been injured or lost a loved one to Takata airbag explosions must hire personal injury lawyers to represent them in Takata airbag lawsuits in order to recover compensation. Individuals who have suffered due to faulty GM ignition switches, on the other hand, will be able to apply directly to a compensation fund without working with an attorney.
Senator Blumenthal reported on Thursday that he believes Takata’s decision not to establish a compensation fund to be a “callous misjudgment”. He stated, “I am astonished and deeply disappointed by Takata’s refusal to establish a victim’s compensation fund.”
If you or your loved one was injured or even killed when a defective and recalled Takata airbag exploded, you may be due substantial compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial suffering. For more information on Takata airbag injury lawsuits, contact a personal injury lawyer you can trust for a free legal consultation.
