Opinion ID: 2121781
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Lawsuit # 2: Plaintiff v. Ford

Text: Plaintiff filed a second lawsuit against Williamson County and its superintendent of highways, on September 1, 1987, in Williamson County. Plaintiff later added Ford Motor Company, the maker of the automobile, to this suit on August 11, 1988, and later dismissed all other defendants. In the complaint against Ford, plaintiff alleged: 6. That as a result of said collision Susanne Patton was thrown forward, but was held by the lap seat belt which injured her stomach, caused her bowel to be perforated, and caused her death; 7. That the injuries and death of Susanne Patton were directly and proximately caused by the unreasonable dangerous condition of the motor vehicle in which Susanne Patton was a passenger. The complaint against Ford sought to recover for Susanne's death under the Wrongful Death Act (Ill.Rev.Stat.1985, ch. 70, pars. 1 through 2.2), for pain and suffering under the Survival Act (Ill.Rev.Stat.1985, ch. 110½, par. 27-6), and for medical and burial expenses under the family expense act (Ill.Rev.Stat. 1985, ch. 40, par. 1015). Plaintiff settled with Ford for an undisclosed amount on March 24, 1990. The release provided in pertinent part: WHEREAS [plaintiff] has claimed that said accident caused injuries to Susanne, which injuries preceded her death; and WHEREAS, subsequent to said accident, Susanne Patton received negligent medical care at Carbondale Memorial Hospital from employees of said hospital, and from employees of the Carbondale Clinic; and WHEREAS, [plaintiff] desires to enter into a settlement agreement with Ford Motor Company for the injuries which [plaintiff] claims was [ sic] caused by the accident and further desires to maintain her pending litigation against the parties and entities who she alleges negligently treated Susanne after her injury and prior to her death; and WHEREAS, [plaintiff] maintains that the parties and entities which committed malpractice are not joint tort-feasors with any other alleged tort-feasor; and WHEREAS, [plaintiff]    agrees to release any claim she may have against Ford Motor Company for the injuries which she alleges were caused by Ford Motor Company, and desires to and intends to pursue her cause of action against the parties and entities whom she claims committed malpractice and in so doing aggravated the injuries she alleges were caused initially by Ford, and ultimately, through said malpractice, caused the death of Susanne Patton   . The agreement released Ford from any and all liens, actions, causes of action, claims, demands, and damages    arisen, arising, or to arise from injuries sustained by Susanne Patton on August 15, 1986 as a result of the automobile accident. The trial court found this settlement was made in good faith and dismissed plaintiff's action against Ford on April 4, 1990.