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New Lawsuit Filed Against Bridgestone/Firestone and Ford

14 September 2000

Lawsuit Filed Against Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. and Ford Motor Company By Tampa Law Firm Based Upon Defective Tires

Ralph and Donna Cordasco, E. Frank Griswold, III, John V. Monsour, and Richard
    H. Sollner, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated,
           vs. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., and Ford Motor Company

                           Case No. 00-6304-CI-008

    TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 13 The law firm of James, Hoyer,
Newcomer and Smiljanich, P.A. has filed a class action lawsuit in Pinellas
County, Florida, on behalf of a class of all persons and entities who
purchased defective 15- and 16-inch Firestone Radial ATX, ATX II, and
Wilderness AT tires, either separately or as part of equipment on a new or
used motor vehicle.  The class includes claimants who are within current
recalls as well as claimants who have been omitted from the current recall of
these tires.
    The lawsuit seeks redress for individuals who have replaced or who desire
to replace Firestone tires based upon the partial recall and recent news
reports of the large numbers of accidents occurring involving
Bridgestone/Firestone tires and Ford Explorers.
    The complaint alleges Counts of Breach of Express Warranty, Breach of
Implied Warranty, Strict Liability, Negligence, and the Violation of the
Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act.  The Class action plaintiffs
are residents of Florida who seek to represent all persons nationwide who were
victimized by the defective tires sold by Bridgestone/Firestone and Ford Motor
Company.
    Mike Peacock, an attorney with James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, P.A.,
a Tampa law firm, stated "It is clear that a large number of accidents have
occurred related to the failure of Firestone tires on Ford Explorers and other
vehicles, which have resulted in deaths and serious bodily injury.  It should
not be necessary for owners of vehicles with these tires to continue to
operate their vehicles, placing themselves and their family members at risk.
This is especially true in light of the clear pattern of the defendants to
conceal known information from the consuming public concerning the inherent
risks in the use of the tires."