Pennsylvania Parents Charge "Cheap And Poorly Made" Seat in Volkswagen Jetta Cost the Life of Their Son
March 18, 2010, New York, NY -- Wendy R. Fleishman of the national plaintiffs' law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, announced today that Kathleen and James Fiedler of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen of America for the wrongful death of their twenty-year old son Andrew Fiedler. The complaint charges that a defectively designed and manufactured car seat in the 2008 Jetta S played a direct role in the death of Andrew Fiedler.
Photo: Andrew Fiedler
"Andrew touched and filled the lives of so many with joy in a very short time. He struggled initially in college, but he found his focus and decided to major in Hotel and Resort Management. He aspired to open his own restaurant one day," Mrs. Fiedler stated. "We hope that this lawsuit prompts Volkswagen to manufacture cars that are in fact safe, not simply advertised as being safe. Other parents should not suffer the profound grief we have experienced."
Alleged Defective Car Seat in Jetta Resulted in Fatal Accident
On Saturday, November 1, 2008, James and Kathleen Fiedler purchased a 2008 Jetta S for their son Andrew. A principal reason why they chose the Jetta was the assurance by the dealer and VW that the Jetta was one of the safest vehicles available in America. That afternoon the Fiedlers gave the Jetta to Andrew. It was intended that he drive the 2008 Jetta S back and forth from their home to his college, Lehigh Carbon Community College.
The evening of November 1, 2008, Andrew and a friend drove the brand new Jetta to another friend's house. After visiting, Andrew and his friend started to return to the Fiedler's home. Both Andrew and his friend were seat belted into the vehicle.
At approximately 8:22 p.m., while traveling on Holbens Valley Road, in the County of Lehigh, the 2008 Jetta S lost control. The 2008 Jetta S struck a guard rail, causing it to fishtail, so that the rear of the vehicle was facing the opposite direction from their initial travel. The left rear was then struck by an oncoming vehicle.
During the impact, the inside back support part of the seat frame of Andrew's seat -- the part that connects the reclineable back of the seat to the lower frame of the seat -- sheered into two pieces, causing Andrew's seat to collapse backward on the right side. As a result, Andrew was no longer supported by the seat. Nor was he restrained by the seat belt.
The force of the collision propelled Andrew toward the right rear of the vehicle. Andrew’s head hit an area to the right of the rear seat in the right rear of the passenger compartment, shattering his skull and killing him.
"Absent the cheap and poorly made seat support in the Jetta which broke in the collision, the complaint charges that Andrew would have walked away from the accident and be alive today," stated Wendy R. Fleishman of Lieff Cabraser.
Andrew's friend suffered no serious physical injuries in the accident. Her seat, the passenger seat, remained intact.
The complaint was filed today in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Legal Resources for Drivers and Passengers Injured in Accidents Due to Defective Vehicles
Lieff Cabraser represents persons across America injured by defective vehicles. If you would like to learn more about your legal rights please visit http://www.usautoinjurylaw.com
There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.
About Lieff Cabraser
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, is a sixty-plus attorney law firm that has represented plaintiffs nationwide since 1972. We have offices in San Francisco, New York, and Nashville. Lieff Cabraser has a comprehensive and diverse practice, which includes representing persons injured and families of loved ones who died in auto accidents.
Since 2003, The National Law Journal has selected Lieff Cabraser as one of the top plaintiffs' law firms in the nation. Learn more at www.lieffcabraser.com.
Source | Contact
Wendy R. Fleishman
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
212-355-9500
