Disabled Boy Wins $100,000 in Lawsuit Against Parents

Six years ago Teddy Harrison was a happy, healthy three year old riding in the back seat of his parents' car. His parents had buckled him into a car seat, and all seemed well. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Harrison's vehicle was sideswiped by another vehicle, driven by an uninsured driver. The Harrison's car rolled several times, and Teddy was ejected from the vehicle. The latch on the car seat had come unhooked, and the seat belt holding the car seat in place also gave way. Teddy was thrown from the car seat and through the car's rear window, causing permanent brain injury.

The Tribune says that Teddy, who is now nine, suffered severe brain injuries, leaving him a quadriplegic. He has difficulty speaking and is unable to feed himself, making 24-hour care a necessity. Although Teddy is severely disabled, he is able to control his motorized wheelchair with his head, and he is able to attend school.

The Tribune reports that during a State Patrol investigation as to why the car seat latch came unhooked, it was determined that a quarter, along with dirt and debris, were stuck in the latch. As a result, when the latch was closed, it clicked like it was locked, when in fact it was not. When the thrust of the accident put pressure on the latch, it came unhooked and Teddy was thrown out.

The Harrisons sued the car seat manufacturer, Century Products, Co. According to the Tribune, the case was settled for an undisclosed amount.

The Tribune says that, although Harrison's insurance, Progressive, agreed to pay, a complicated Minnesota law had to be clarified first.

In 1963, Minnesota lawmakers wanted to encourage auto manufacturers to install seat belts in their new models, so they passed a "gag rule" to protect auto makers from liability in claims of seat belt and child car seat defects. Later, an exception to the gag rule was made: except when the case involved defectively installed or operating car seats.