Thu, Jun 17, 2004
Family Wanted More In Damages
When the family of
Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan (right) won their lawsuit against
vacuum-pump maker Parker-Hannifin, the Jackson County (MO) jury
deciding the case refused to award his widow any punitive damages.
Monday, a county judge refused to approve the family's demand for a
second trial so they might get another shot at punishing the parts
maker.
Carnahan was flying aboard a Cessna 335 piloted by
his son, Randy, on October 16, 2000, when they ran into rough
weather in southeastern Missouri. The pilot reported his primary
attitude indicator had failed. The aircraft went down near
Hillsboro (MO), killing all three people on board.
In January, a jury awarded the late governor's widow, Sen. Jean
Carnahan (below), $4 million in compensatory damages, but refused
to award punitive damages. The award was later reduced to $2.4
million after Judge Charles Atwell factored in previous settlements
in the case. The Carnahan family had asked the court for $100
million in damages.
Sifford's family settled with Parker-Hannifin for
$905,000.
The jury disregarded
the finding of the NTSB that showed the Cessna's directional gyro,
driven by the Parker-Hannifin vacuum system, was working and that
Randy Carnahan told controllers before the crash that he was able
to steer the aircraft. Carnahan attorney Gary Robb said the company
had disregarded for years safety problems with the vacuum systems,
accusing Parker-Hannifin of knowingly allowing a number of fatal
aviation accidents.
However, Judge Atwell, Monday, said the case for punitive
damages was weak. He said Parker-Hannifin involved the FAA as soon
as it discovered potential problems for its vacuum
systems and recommended to customers that they consider purchasing
back-up systems.
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