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Cleveland Files Lawsuit on Behalf of all Ohio Law Enforcements, Crown Vics UNSAFE
City files lawsuit on behalf of all Ohio law enforcement units
By M.R. Kropko / Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- The city of Cleveland filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court Wednesday on behalf of law enforcement agencies across Ohio that accuses Ford Motor Co. of selling unsafe police cars.
Similar lawsuits have been filed in Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida concerning the potential for fuel tank fires in Crown Victoria police cars, a city official said.
Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio said the lawsuit was not a surprise to the company because the issue is not new. "This is a very serious situation for us, and we're treating it with urgency," she said.
Ford has been trying to determine how to prevent gas tank fires and explosions following rear-end collisions in its police car version of the Crown Victoria.
In June, Ford agreed to set up two study panels to look into the situation.
The automaker is considering making foam-filled bladders surrounding the gas tank to block fuel from leaking in a collision.
Cleveland's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, lists seven separate fuel tank fires in 2000 and 2001, with all leading to injuries or deaths. None of the examples involved an Ohio police car.
R. Eric Kennedy, the attorney for the city, said "this lawsuit is trying to prevent deaths from happening."
The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount sought for damages but alleges that compensatory and punitive damages are appropriate, as are restitution and attorney fees.
Cleveland has 481 police cars that are Ford Crown Victorias as well as Mayor Jane Campbell's city car.
City files lawsuit on behalf of all Ohio law enforcement units
By M.R. Kropko / Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- The city of Cleveland filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court Wednesday on behalf of law enforcement agencies across Ohio that accuses Ford Motor Co. of selling unsafe police cars.
Similar lawsuits have been filed in Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida concerning the potential for fuel tank fires in Crown Victoria police cars, a city official said.
Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio said the lawsuit was not a surprise to the company because the issue is not new. "This is a very serious situation for us, and we're treating it with urgency," she said.
Ford has been trying to determine how to prevent gas tank fires and explosions following rear-end collisions in its police car version of the Crown Victoria.
In June, Ford agreed to set up two study panels to look into the situation.
The automaker is considering making foam-filled bladders surrounding the gas tank to block fuel from leaking in a collision.
Cleveland's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, lists seven separate fuel tank fires in 2000 and 2001, with all leading to injuries or deaths. None of the examples involved an Ohio police car.
R. Eric Kennedy, the attorney for the city, said "this lawsuit is trying to prevent deaths from happening."
The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount sought for damages but alleges that compensatory and punitive damages are appropriate, as are restitution and attorney fees.
Cleveland has 481 police cars that are Ford Crown Victorias as well as Mayor Jane Campbell's city car.