Brooklyn, NY — A Long Island resident, after suffering a severe injury from his luxury vehicle, was awarded $1.9 million in damages by a federal court jury. The incident, which took place in 2016, involved a BMW’s motorized “soft close” door that severed part of the man’s thumb.
Godwin Boateng, a 68-year-old software engineer from Valley Stream, expressed relief and satisfaction with the court’s decision nearly seven years after the accident that dramatically altered his lifestyle. Boateng’s attorney, Avi Cohen, recounted that they rejected a significantly lower settlement offer from BMW just weeks before the trial, a decision that evidently paid off given the jury’s verdict.
The vehicle in question was a BMW X5, which Boateng purchased for $70,000, calling it his “dream car.” Unfortunately, this dream turned into a nightmare when the vehicle’s self-closing door function resulted in the loss of a substantial part of his right thumb. Despite immediate medical attention, the injury was deemed too severe to repair.
The impact of the injury was profound. An avid tennis player, Boateng was forced to abandon the sport. He also had to learn new ways to handle daily tasks such as writing and eating, often hiding his hand in his pocket due to embarrassment.
The trial revealed that the incident was not as isolated as BMW had initially suggested. Cohen highlighted that contrary to BMW’s claims, there had been at least 44 other reported injuries worldwide due to the malfunction of the soft-close door, as admitted by BMW during a 2016 investigation by a German car regulator.
While the jury cleared the German auto manufacturer of several other charges, including the allegation of a dangerous design, they noted BMW’s lack of transparency about past incidents. Cohen argued that the jury’s findings reflected a broader issue of deception in BMW’s practices.
Despite the ordeal, Boatend still owns the BMW X5, acknowledging its quality apart from the problematic door. He was disheartened by the company’s aggressive defense strategy which, in his view, only led to greater financial loss for the automaker than a settlement would have.
In contrast, BMW’s counsel, Phil Dilanni, defended the company’s stance, noting their commitment to product safety and integrity. Dilanni disagreed with the jury’s decision and hinted at a possible appeal.
This case not only highlights Boateng’s personal struggle and eventual vindication but also underscores potential safety concerns involving automated vehicle features, drawing attention to how companies address such issues with their consumers. The legal proceedings may prompt closer scrutiny of automated car features, potentially leading to stricter safety standards and more transparent corporate policies on incident reporting.