On October 31, 1998, Plaintiff was working as a guard in Tampa, riding in the cargo hold of an armored cash van manufactured by Defendant. Behind the guard's seat was a hollow metal bar designed to restrain the expected cargo of thirty boxes of coins (weighing approximately seven hundred pounds) and currency bags in the case of an accident. Defendant had never tested the design and did not submit the design for an engineering review. The van rear-ended a tanker in a heavy fog at a speed of approximately twenty-five mph. On impact, the cargo plowed through the metal bar with such force that it tore the seat partially off the pedestal and slammed the seat back into Plaintiff's head, breaking his neck. The case was tried on a single count of strict liability. Read More