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Mazda-Denso Fuel Pump Settlement Gets Preliminary Approval

Beasley Allen’s fuel pump fight continues. Another win in federal court- Mazda and parts supplier Denso have reached a major settlement over faulty fuel pumps in certain Mazda vehicles. This settlement, valued at no less than $172 million, could benefit up to 1 million people who own or lease these cars.

The Defect

From 2017 to 2020, over 603,000 Mazda vehicles, including some Mazda3 and Mazda CX-3 models, were equipped with Denso fuel pumps that could deform and fail. This defect increases the risk of a crash. In November 2021, Mazda recalled over 120,000 vehicles due to this issue. Denso had already recalled 3.6 million fuel pumps for the same problem, affecting many car brands.

Settlement Details

Under the settlement, Mazda will:

• Offer a Customer Support Program: This program provides 15 years of coverage for repairing and replacing Denso fuel pumps in over 482,000 Mazda vehicles that were not initially recalled.
• Extend Warranties: Vehicles that were recalled will get an extended warranty of 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• Provide Free Services: Mazda will offer free loaner vehicles and towing services if needed during repairs.
• Reimburse Expenses: Mazda will cover costs for previous repairs, rental vehicles, and towing related to the faulty fuel pumps.

What’s Next?

A final approval hearing for this settlement is scheduled for January 17, 2025, before Judge Josephine Staton in the Central District of California.

We have a proven history of success in handling similar lawsuits. Recently, we secured a $289 million settlement with Toyota and Denso and have another settlement with Subaru and Denso awaiting final approval. Our team, Dee Miles, Demet Basar, Clay Barnett, Mitch Williams, Dylan Martin and Trent Mann are also working on a class case against Honda and Denso.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to navigate these cases and fight to hold these car manufacturers responsible.

$160 Million Verdict Shines Spotlight on Heavy Truck Safety

When the unimaginable unfolds: Our attorneys secured a $160 million verdict after a defective design changed our client’s life forever.

What started as an ordinary workday for Leonard Wiley Street turned catastrophic when his heavy truck was forced off the road after an impact caused by a pick-up truck.

Street was operating a 2023 Western Star truck carrying wood products when the collision forced him off the road. This resulted in a rollover that fractured his neck due to the significant roof crush and the lack of an automatic pull-down safety seat in the cab, ultimately leaving him an incomplete quadriplegic.

The Verdict

After a two-week trial in the Circuit Court for Clarke County, Alabama, Ben Baker, Kendall Dunson, and Wyatt Montgomery, secured a $160 million verdict for Leonard Wiley Street, along with Co- Counsel Matt Drinkard and Eddie Massey.

Ben Baker stressed the importance of teamwork and how big of a part it played in presenting this case to the jury.

This outcome not only provides justice for the Street family but also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of heavy truck safety.

DTNA’s Defective Design

The 2023 Western Star truck had a defective roof designed in 1995 that remained unchanged for nearly 30 years and a defective driver’s suspension seat. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and Western Star Trucks were found to have defectively designed and manufactured the truck.

These defects caused Street’s injuries. DTNA had an automatic pull-down seat for rollover safety but refused to make it a standard feature.

Rollovers represent the single most harmful event for truck drivers, and DTNA failed to increase cab strength for nearly 30 years despite having this knowledge.

This should have never happened, but we hope this verdict will send a message to all heavy truck manufacturers that driver safety should always come first.

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Beasley Allen Takes on AT&T in Data Breach Lawsuit 

Beasley Allen has initiated a class action lawsuit against telecommunications giant AT&T on behalf of customers affected by a recent cyberattack and consequent data breach.

The lawsuit represents Scott Mathews and potentially thousands of other AT&T customers who have had their personal information compromised.

The lawsuit, filed in response to what is described as AT&T’s failure to adequately protect customer data, alleges that sensitive information, including names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, birth dates, account numbers, and passcodes, was left vulnerable to cybercriminals.

The breach came to light around March 31, when AT&T began notifying affected customers of a “security incident.” However, the lawsuit criticizes the telecom provider for not disclosing vital details about the breach, such as the specific timeline of the events and the reasons behind the delay of over three years in informing current and former customers about the cyberattack.

Plaintiffs argue that AT&T’s negligence has exposed them and many others to significant risks, with their private information now potentially in the hands of data thieves. This breach has raised concerns about AT&T’s security measures and their effectiveness in protecting customer data.

Considering these events, Beasley Allen is not only seeking compensation for those impacted by the breach but also urging AT&T to implement stricter security measures to prevent such incidents seeking compensation for those impacted by the breach and in the future. As the case progresses, it will likely shed more light on the extent of the data breach and the steps AT&T will need to take to restore customer trust.

Larry Golston

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