San Mateo Bridge Limo Fire Victims' Families File Wrongful Death Suits
SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- Family members of the victims of a fatal limousine fire on the San Mateo bridge are filing wrongful death lawsuits.
Five of the nine women inside the limo were killed in the May 4th fire while out celebrating a bridal party.
Investigators ruled the fire was caused by the failure of an air suspension system, which forced a metal pan to rub against the drive shaft, creating friction.
The family members were filing suit against six different companies, claiming they are responsible for the modification and maintenance of the limo.
San Mateo Bridge Limo Fire Victims' Families File Wrongful Death Suits
KCBS' legal analyst Steven Clark said that it's an economic damage case and that those killed were young nurses who were going to be making money over time.
"They may have had children or other family members depending on them so you want to try to get a recovery for those family members so that's what's key here and you want to look at everyone who could have even be the least bit at fault in this case," he said.
Both Ford Motor Company, and the operator of the limousine, Limo Stop were named in the filing.
Clark said their bringing everyone who ever touched the vehicle into the lawsuit looking for defendant and a deep pocket.
"In California, a limousine company is what is known as a common carrier because they transport people for money and you have the highest duty of care under the law," he said.
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