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Liliana Awan v. Tesla Motors, Inc, et al (Dr. Omar Awan case)

Location: FL
Year Filed: 2019
Status:
Pending
Categories:
Defective Door Handles + Fire Fatality
Plaintiff: Liliana Awan, wife of decedent
Law Firm: Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen
Court: Broward Circuit Court
Crash Details: Davie, FL, 2/24/2019

Case Summary

  • The incident: In February 2019, Dr. Omar Awan crashed his Tesla Model S into palm trees in Davie, Florida. He was still alive after the crash.
  • The lawsuit: Awan's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla, alleging that a design defect in the door handles was the cause of his death. They claim the car acted as a "death trap" and that he could have been saved if he had been able to exit the vehicle.
  • Tesla's response: Tesla has denied the allegations, stating in court filings that Awan's blood alcohol level was above the legal limit
  • The alleged defect: According to the lawsuit, the accident cut power to the car's electronic system. This caused the retractable door handles to fail to extend, making it impossible for Awan to open the door from the inside and for first responders to open the doors from the outside.
  • The outcome: A witness attempted to help, but was unable to open the door. The car became engulfed in flames, and Awan died from smoke inhalation and burns.