The Multi-District litigation (MDL) in the Yamaha Rhino rollover lawsuits continues to move forward in the Western District of Kentucky, with the products liability attorneys at Pritzker Olsen playing a central role. At the outset of the litigation, attorney Eric Hageman of Pritzker Olsen was appointed by the federal judge presiding over the Rhino MDL, Judge Jennifer B. Coffman, to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.

More recently, Judge Coffman issued the initial Case Management Order, setting the schedule for all of the MDL cases. As outlined in the Order, all non-expert fact discovery must be completed on cases currently in the MDL by February 1, 2010, with all discovery to be completed by April 1, 2010. If cases are not resolved via pre-trial settlement, trial of the cases will begin June 1, 2010. A proposal regarding a “comprehensive case resolution program for the MDL cases” will be made to Judge Coffman by September 30, 2009.

Even though no Rhino rollover cases have yet gone to trial, the benefits of the nationwide Rhino rollover litigation are already becoming apparent. Yamaha has seemingly acknowledged the existence of some of the very defects which are being alleged in the Rhino rollover lawsuits. The defects which make the Rhino prone to tip over and seriously injure its occupants include the following: its top-heavy design, dangerously narrow track width, high center of gravity, wheels that are too small to maintain stability, steering geometry that facilitates rollovers and tip overs even at low speeds and on flat terrain, heavy rigid steel roll cage that has no safety padding, lack of doors, leg guards, or other enclosures to protect occupants, lack of handholds or handles for passengers, and defective restraint systems. On March 31, 2009, Yamaha announced a repair program to address some of the same rollover safety defects which are being advocated in the MDL. In apparent recognition of the dangers posed by the Rhino, Yamaha has advised that consumers should not use Rhinos until the safety defects are repaired.

Pritzker Olsen attorneys will continue to play a leading role in the Rhino rollover litigation and will push for even greater safety changes on the Rhino.

To contact an attorney at Pritzker Olsen, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Yamaha Rhino Rollover Information

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Yamaha Rhino FAQ
Yamaha Rhino Recall

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