Geier v. Honda Motor Company, Inc.

Geier v. Honda Motor Company, Inc.

We argued and won a mixed decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on whether federal law preempts and bars damage claims against the auto manufacturers by drivers and passengers injured because their cars lack airbags.  The court ruled unanimously that no claims are expressly preempted, but held 5 to 4 that most claims involving cars manufactured after 1987 are barred.

Case Documents

• Our brief

  Our brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the court to find no preemption in an airbag case.

  U.S. Supreme Court

  
  
  Docket: 98-1811

• Our reply brief

  Our reply brief urging the Alabama Supreme Court to hold that an arbitration clause is unconscionable where it requires consumers with modest claims to pay arbitration fees to the American Arbitration Association of $12,000 to $16,000 to have their claims heard.

  Supreme Court of Alabama

  
  
  Docket: 1022063