U.S. jury to consider punitive damages against Toyota in sudden acceleration lawsuit

BUSINESS

U.S. jury to consider punitive damages against Toyota in sudden acceleration lawsuit

The Associated Press Published Friday, October 25, 2013 8:02AM EDT

The Toyota Motor Corp. logo is seen on a tire wheel of an Avensis sedan at Toyota's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 2, 2011. (AP / Shizuo Kambayashi)

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OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma County jury is expected to consider punitive damages against Toyota Motor Corp. for a 2007 crash that left one woman dead and another seriously injured after a Camry suddenly accelerated.

The jury on Thursday found Toyota liable for the crash and awarded $1.5 million in damages to Jean Bookout, the driver injured in the crash, and $1.5 million to the family of Barbara Schwarz, who died.

The jury also decided Toyota acted with "reckless disregard" for the rights of others, a determination that sets up the second phase of the trial on punitive damages that is set to begin on Friday.

Oklahoma County District Judge Patricia Parish has ordered attorneys on both sides not to discuss the case publicly until after the punitive stage.