California Appeals Court reverses verdict in Suzuki GSX-R brake failure case
The California Court of Appeals has unanimously reversed a jury verdict that had awarded both compensatory and punitive damages of $160 million to plaintiff Thomas Joseph Soulliere in a motorcycle crash case involving alleged front brake failure on a Suzuki GSX-R600.
The appellate court remanded the case for a new trial and ruled that punitive damages would not be included in the retrial. The court also ordered the plaintiff to reimburse Suzuki for appellate costs.
According to the court’s decision, the trial court erred by excluding key evidence from the investigating officer, who reported that the motorcycle’s brakes “locked up” following the crash. The appellate panel found that this testimony was relevant and potentially inconsistent with the plaintiff’s theory that a recall-related front brake defect caused the incident.
By excluding that evidence, the trial court improperly limited Suzuki’s ability to challenge the causation argument presented at trial, the Court of Appeal determined.
The underlying lawsuit stemmed from a crash involving a GSX-R600 in which Soulliere alleged that a front brake defect led to loss of control and subsequent injuries. A jury previously sided with the plaintiff and awarded damages, including punitive damages against Suzuki.
In its ruling, the appellate court held that the evidentiary exclusion constituted reversible error, necessitating a new trial to ensure the jury has a complete factual record. The court also determined that punitive damages should not be retried, narrowing the scope of the upcoming proceedings.
Suzuki Motor Corporation issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the decision, agreeing with the appellate court’s conclusion that the excluded evidence should have been presented to the jury. The company said it sympathizes with individuals injured in accidents but maintains that the claims in this case lack merit and looks forward to a retrial consistent with the appellate ruling.
A verdict from a previous trial in 2018 ordered Suzuki to pay Soulliere $8 million, including $6 million in punitive damages and $2 million in compensatory damages. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal, after several years of legal wrangling, leading to a second trial that resulted in a much larger verdict.
The case now returns to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the appellate decision.
