Robert M.N. Palmer, The Law Offices of Robert M.N. Palmer, P.C., for Plaintiff; and Rodney E. Loomer, Turner, Reid, Duncan, Loomer & Patton, for Defendant.

Twenty-four year-old John Pippin was operating a rented 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier, when he fell asleep and drove off the road down a steep embankment. The vehicle rode the guardrail for part of the distance, rocking from side to side, but did not completely roll over. Plaintiff was ejected when the door opened, and received spinal injuries that rendered him a C5 quadriplegic. Mr. Pippin's medical expenses at the time of settlement were in excess of $150,000, and a life care plan projected his future needs to be in the range of $7 million to $10 million. At the time of the accident Mr. Pippins blood alcohol level was .17.
 

Plaintiff pursued a case against General Motors alleging a defective door latch, in that the latch by design is susceptible to coming open in an accident. Plaintiff also alleged that the door-mounted restraint system is defective and unreasonably dangerous because due to the fact that when a door opens during an accident, the restraints are pulled away from the occupant, effectively removing all restraint from the occupant and allowing ejection.
 

On April 23, 1993 the Pippin case settled for a confidential amount.