Matoesian
A case against Ford Motor Co. over a car that allegedly burst into flames, destroying a man's garage, will go forward.
Madison County Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian denied a move to dismiss the suit brought by Ford on March 12.
The company had argued the plaintiff Danny Dawson did not actually own the 1997 Lincoln Town Car at the heart of the suit and that there were differences in the plaintiff's timeline regarding the events alleged in the lawsuit.
Dawson is suing Ford for more than $100,000 in damages.
Matoesian, however, struck Dawson's claims for pre-judgment interest and punitive damages.
According to Dawson, the 1997 Lincoln was in his garage in December 2007 when it burst into flames.
The fire destroyed the car and Dawson's garage.
Dawson claims that Ford negligently used flammable parts and installed a defective speed control switch that caused the fire.
Ford alleged that Dawson's father, who died in 2008, owned the car and that Dawson did not have the standing to bring property damage claims.
A case management conference is set May 26 in the case.
Dawson is represented by Todd Sivia.
Ford is represented by Michael Borree.
The case is Madison case number 09-L-1305.