Philadelphia, June 18, 2024 – A jury in Philadelphia has awarded a $20.7 million verdict against Honda Motor Company for the unreasonably dangerous design of the gas cap of its 2014 “Grom” motorcycle, which was being ridden by a Philadelphia man when he struck a truck that pulled out in front of him.
Jamal Boyd, the plaintiff, sustained burns over 50 percent of his body when the gas cap of the motorcycle popped off, and gas covered him, igniting in fire, when he collided with a trash truck in northern Philadelphia.
The jury found that the 2014 Honda Grom motorcycle Boyd was driving was defective, unreasonably dangerous, and not crashworthy.
“Honda’s design of the cap, which was a press-on cap, not a screw-on cap, was unreasonably dangerous because it can come off in an accident, just like it did in Mr. Boyd’s case, ” explained Anapol Weiss shareholder Larry Coben, who represented Boyd.
Boyd suffered severe thermal burns, underwent twelve surgical procedures, and remains seriously scarred for life. He was in his early 20’s when the accident occurred in 2020.
The $20.7 million award included $2.7 million for non-economic damages and $18 million for pain and suffering, loss of pleasures in life, and scarring/disfigurement and loss of bodily function.
“This young man’s life was catastrophically altered by the dangerous design of the Honda motorbike he was riding,” noted Coben. “Huge companies like Honda, who make billions in profits every year, have a responsibility to sell products that are safe. Today, this jury sent Honda a very clear message that they must put safety as a priority.”
Read more about the verdict in Law.com’s article, “Pa. Jury Returns $20 Million Verdict Against Honda Following Motorcycle Fire.”