Wirsz v. Nissan North America Inc., No. BC377417 (Cal. Super. Ct., Los Angeles County). Defense verdict for Nissan in product-liability lawsuit.
On November 30, 2010, after a seven-week trial, a California jury handed down a unanimous verdict for Nissan North American Inc. and Nissan Motor Co. ("Nissan") in a product liability lawsuit. The case is Wirsz v. Nissan North America Inc. et al. , No. BC377417 (Cal. Super. Ct., Los Angeles County).
The case involved a 1993 Nissan 240SX struck in the rear by a 12,000-pound plumbing truck going approximately 55 mph. The plaintiff, who was rendered quadriplegic in the crash, alleged that the Nissan seat system was defective. The jury delivered a 12-0 defense verdict.
Nissan was represented by Malcolm Wheeler of Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP, Denver, CO, and Frank Hostetler and Susan Vargas of Bowman and Brooke LLP, Gardena, CA. The plaintiff, Steven Wirsz, was represented by Larry Grassini, Roland Wrinkle, and Don Liddy of Grassini & Wrinkle, Woodland Hills, CA.