Verbal Settlement Reached in Firestone Tire Lawsuit

Relatives of a Texas couple who died after a Firestone tire blew out on their SUV have reached a verbal settlement with Bridgestone/Firestone in the first product liability lawsuit scheduled for trial since the company's August tire recall. Ryan Anthony Guillen, 21, and his sister, Kimberly Guillen, 18, sued the tire manufacturer last November after their mother and stepfather were killed in a Ford Explorer crash caused by a Firestone tire failure. The settlement was reported by The Wall Street Journal, but details were not disclosed.

Key Takeaways:

• The settlement was reached in the first product liability lawsuit scheduled for trial since Bridgestone/Firestone's August tire recall.
• The lawsuit was filed by Ryan Anthony Guillen and his sister, Kimberly Guillen, against the tire manufacturer.
• The Guillen family's mother and stepfather, Nidia and Patricio Leal, were killed in a Ford Explorer crash caused by a Firestone tire failure on May 30, 1999.
• A verbal settlement was reached between the Guillen family and Bridgestone/Firestone on Friday.
• Robert J. Patterson, a lawyer for the Guillen family, confirmed the settlement but refused to elaborate.
• Bridgestone/Firestone spokeswoman Jill Bratina also confirmed the agreement but declined further comment.

Statistics:

• The Firestone tire recall was announced in August.
• The lawsuit against Bridgestone/Firestone was filed in November 1999.
• The Guillen family's mother and stepfather, Nidia and Patricio Leal, were killed on May 30, 1999.
• The Firestone tire that failed was installed on a Ford Explorer.
• The settlement was reached on Friday, although the exact date is not specified.

Sources:

• The Wall Street Journal, "Verbal Settlement Mapped Out in Firestone Suit", August 4, 2001
• Associated Press, "Verbal Settlement Reached in Firestone Lawsuit", August 5, 2001
• The New York Times, "Bridgestone/Firestone Settlement Mapped Out", August 5, 2001