In the wake of the General Motors ignition switch recall, the automaker created a compensation fund that so far has accepted 372 claims of injuries or deaths and counting. Despite government pressure, don't expect a similar process to come from Takata for its rupturing airbag inflators. The automotive supplier is rejecting the push by US Senator Richard Blumenthal to create a similar process for those harmed by the company's parts.
"At the present time, given the limited number of claims filed and the MDL [multi-district litigation] procedures in place that permit the efficient coordination of related claims, Takata believes that a national compensation fund is not currently required," said a portion of a letter from the supplier that was released by Senator Blumenthal's office. The company claims that it's giving the option "further study," though.
Senator Blumenthal isn't so happy about the company's decision. "Takata is apparently unwilling to acknowledge its responsibility for these tragic deaths and injuries, or do justice for victims and their loved ones. I will press Takata to reconsider this callous misjudgment, and do right by the innocent victims of its harm," part of his statement to Autoblog said.
Since Takata's airbag inflator recall became a major topic last year, the company has been hauled before Congress for several hearings. The faulty parts have been linked to eight deaths and at least 100 injuries globally, and the he problem has continued to send ripples throughout the world, too. According to Bloomberg, Honda has recalled more vehicles in the last three months than the company's last fiscal year's sales after a recent 4.5-million unit expansion. A rupture also reportedly caused a vehicle fire in a Nissan in Japan. When exposed to moisture, the inflators' propellant can ignite too quickly causing the parts to rupture and shoot metal shrapnel at occupants.
"At the present time, given the limited number of claims filed and the MDL [multi-district litigation] procedures in place that permit the efficient coordination of related claims, Takata believes that a national compensation fund is not currently required," said a portion of a letter from the supplier that was released by Senator Blumenthal's office. The company claims that it's giving the option "further study," though.
Senator Blumenthal isn't so happy about the company's decision. "Takata is apparently unwilling to acknowledge its responsibility for these tragic deaths and injuries, or do justice for victims and their loved ones. I will press Takata to reconsider this callous misjudgment, and do right by the innocent victims of its harm," part of his statement to Autoblog said.
Since Takata's airbag inflator recall became a major topic last year, the company has been hauled before Congress for several hearings. The faulty parts have been linked to eight deaths and at least 100 injuries globally, and the he problem has continued to send ripples throughout the world, too. According to Bloomberg, Honda has recalled more vehicles in the last three months than the company's last fiscal year's sales after a recent 4.5-million unit expansion. A rupture also reportedly caused a vehicle fire in a Nissan in Japan. When exposed to moisture, the inflators' propellant can ignite too quickly causing the parts to rupture and shoot metal shrapnel at occupants.
BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON TAKATA REFUSAL TO ESTABLISH VICTIM'S COMPENSATION FUND
At Recent Commerce Committee Hearing, Sen. Blumenthal Called On Company To Establish Fund To Compensate Victims Of Lethal Airbag Defect
(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on Takata Corporation's refusal to establish a compensation fund for the victims and families of victims that have been injured or killed as a result of the company's defective airbags:
"I am astonished and deeply disappointed by Takata's refusal to establish a victim's compensation fund – even after 100 injuries and eight deaths attributed to its defective airbags, numbers almost certain to rise. Takata is apparently unwilling to acknowledge its responsibility for these tragic deaths and injuries, or do justice for victims and their loved ones. I will press Takata to reconsider this callous misjudgment, and do right by the innocent victims of its harm"
Takata notified Blumenthal of their decision in a letter, following his calls on the company to do so during a Commerce Committee hearing last month.
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At Recent Commerce Committee Hearing, Sen. Blumenthal Called On Company To Establish Fund To Compensate Victims Of Lethal Airbag Defect
(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on Takata Corporation's refusal to establish a compensation fund for the victims and families of victims that have been injured or killed as a result of the company's defective airbags:
"I am astonished and deeply disappointed by Takata's refusal to establish a victim's compensation fund – even after 100 injuries and eight deaths attributed to its defective airbags, numbers almost certain to rise. Takata is apparently unwilling to acknowledge its responsibility for these tragic deaths and injuries, or do justice for victims and their loved ones. I will press Takata to reconsider this callous misjudgment, and do right by the innocent victims of its harm"
Takata notified Blumenthal of their decision in a letter, following his calls on the company to do so during a Commerce Committee hearing last month.
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