Quadriplegic wins $15 million judgment against Dunlop, Ford dealer

LOS ANGELES (June 21)—A Los Angeles Superior Court jury has awarded $15.1 million in damages to a Los Angeles man who became quadriplegic after an auto accident caused by a tire blowout. Joven Mapa was driving to Las Vegas with his family in November 1997 when the accident occurred. Mapa sued Dunlop Tire Corp., the maker of the left-rear tire which blew, and El Monte Ford, the dealership whose service adviser allegedly failed to disclose that the tire on Mapa´s 1991 Ford Aerostar van had a tread separation. Don Fountain, the West Palm Beach, Fla., attorney who represented Mapa, said his client is "relieved" to have come this far in the trial process. Attorneys for Dunlop and El Monte Ford could not be reached for comment.