Lisoni: NHTSA denial of Steeltex petition is blessing in disguise

WASHINGTON (June 17)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's denial of a petition to reopen an investigation of Firestone Steeltex light truck tires actually is beneficial to an upcoming class action lawsuit against Bridgestone/Firestone, according to the attorney who filed the petition. "This now gives the state court national jurisdiction and exclusivity over recalling the tire," he said. "Bridgestone/Firestone will no longer be able to argue we haven't exhausted our federal administrative remedies." Lisoni filed a class action lawsuit before the California Superior Court of Indio, Calif., seeking the recall of some 30 million Steeltex tires.