(CN) - A jury found Chrysler responsible for the death of a 4-year-old Georgia boy in a fire following a Jeep crash, ordering the automaker to pay his family $150 million in damages.
Thursday's verdict in the Georgia Superior Court in Decatur County came after only two hours of deliberations. The award of damages breaks down to $120 million for the loss of the boy's life, and 430 million for his pain and suffering.
The case stemmed from the death of Remington Walden, who died in the march 2012 crash of his parents' Jeep Grand Cherokee. After the crash, the fuel tank installed behind the rear axle of the SUV leaked, setting it ablaze.
During the trial the attorney for the family contended that if the fuel tank had only been placed farther forward on the vehicle, Walden's death might have been prevented. Chrysler argued that
The jury found the company acted with reckless or wanton disregard for human life in design and sale of vehicle and failed to warn consumers that the SUV could be hazardous.
In 2013, Chrysler recalled 1.56 million Jeep Grand Cherokees and Liberty SUVs manufactured between 1993 and 2007 to address concerns about their fuel tanks.
In a statement the company said it was disappointed in the verdict and would consider an appeal.
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