HUNTINGTON – A group of Ohio women claim injuries sustained in an accident could have been prevented had their seat belts worked properly and the vehicle not been defective.
The estate of Judith Alford by Melissa Bias, administratrix, and Tina Alford individually filed a lawsuit on Oct. 28 in Cabell Circuit Court against Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., Subaru of America Inc., and Keaton's Collision Inc., citing negligence.
The plaintiffs claim that on June 12, 2014, while traveling on Interstate 77 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, their 2003 Subaru Legacy abruptly left the roadway, struck a median, and rolled over. The women claim their seat belts did not properly retrain them and caused more injuries than necessary, including injuries that lead to Judith Alford's death. The plaintiffs allege Keaton's Collision did not properly repair the car and compromised its safety systems after a prior accident and that Fuji and Subaru manufactured a defective vehicle.
The women are seeking jointly and severely compensatory damages, costs and disbursements for this action, trial by jury, and any other relief the court sees fit. They are represented by Charles M. Love of The Love Law Firm in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.
Cabell Circuit Court Case number 15-C-744