NHTSA Complaint #10280134 — 2009 FORD TAURUS

MY CLIENT, PEGGY STEPHENSON WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF A 2009 FORD TAURUS. SHE IS PARALYZED FROM THE WASTE DOWN AND WAS UNAWARE THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON FOR THE ENTIRE 2 HOUR DRIVE FROM PHOENIX SKYHARBOR AIRPORT TO SEDONA, ARIZONA. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THAT SHE SUSTAINED 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON THE BOTTOM OF HER BUTTOCKS FROM THE SEAT HEATER BEING ON. I JUST READ A SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR THE CAR AND THERE IS A WARNING THAT SAYS IN SUBSTANCE THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES CAN SUSTAIN BURNS EVEN WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS USED AT LOW TEMPERATURES WHEN USED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS OWNERS' MANUAL WARNING WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT READ BY MY CLIENT WHEN SHE ENTERED THE RENT-A-CAR. A SEAT THAT CAN BURN SOMEONE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. IN ADDITION, A WARNING SHOULD BE POSTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE IN PLAIN VIEW SINCE CAR RENTERS WON'T READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE CAR SEAT HEATER SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE MORE INJURIES OCCUR. IRA M. MAURER, ESQ. THE MAURER LAW FIRM, PLLC 300 WESTAGE BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 360 FISHKILL, NY 12524. 845-896-5295. *TR