26 Bridgestone/Firestone Lawsuits Settled

Twenty-six lawsuits filed by accident victims who alleged tread separation on tires made by Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. caused their rollover crashes have been settled for an undisclosed amount, a Houston law firm and the tire maker said. Linda Houssiere of the firm Houssiere Durant & Houssiere confirmed the settlements involving 78 people who were killed or injured in rollover wrecks. Most were Texans. Bridgestone/Firestone spokeswoman Jill Bratina confirmed the settlement without additional comment. Terms of the settlements were not revealed by Houssiere or Firestone, although the attorney said her firm’s clients received “a premium.” The lawsuits, filed in Harris and other counties around Texas, alleged tread separation in Firestone tires caused Ford Explorers to roll over. Most of the firm’s clients, who settled with Firestone at the end of last week, already had settled with Ford Motor Co. in the last few months, Houssiere said. The firm still has suits pending against the tire maker and Ford.