BMW Fined $1.9 Million After X5 Door Severs Customer's Thumb; Safety Issues Under Scrutiny
The New York Post reports that BMW must pay $1.9 million (A$2.82 million) in damages to a US customer whose thumb was severed by his X5’s soft-close doors. In 2016, software engineer Godwin Boateng rested his right hand on the edge of the BMW X5’s driver’s door before it had fully closed. The car’s soft-close doors, which use motors to complete the final latching movement, swiftly shut and severed the tip of his right thumb. Despite seeking immediate medical attention, doctors were unable to reattach the severed thumb.
Unlike many soft-close windows that incorporate sensors to prevent closure on body parts left in the opening, the BMW's doors continue to close even if something obstructs their path.
Mr. Boateng has reportedly undergone several surgeries to reduce the sensitivity in his thumb, with no improvement noted. His lawyer asserts that he is unable to continue working as a software engineer due to the pain.
Despite BMW's assertion that there was no fault with the X5’s soft-close door, a Long Island jury found the carmaker responsible for Mr. Boateng’s injury and awarded him $1.9 million (A$2.82 million) in damages.
Mr. Boateng's lawyer, Avi Cohen, is currently pursuing multiple lawsuits against BMW for alleged faults with its soft-close doors, which have caused injuries.
Mr. Boateng still owns the BMW X5 that hit his thumb.
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