In July 2016, a tragic accident occurred when Godwin Boateng, a freelance software engineer, accidentally placed his hand on the door frame of his BMW X5 as it was opening. The door closed on his hand, resulting in a severe injury that led to the amputation of his thumb.
Mr. Boateng underwent surgery to reattach his thumb, but unfortunately, the damage was irreparable. He filed a lawsuit against BMW seeking $3 million in damages. According to Mr. Boateng, the accident has left him unable to work, resulting in a loss of $250,000 annually.
BMW conducted an investigation and concluded that there were no technical faults with the car’s door system. They emphasized that the user manual clearly warns against placing hands or any body parts between the door and the frame while it is closing. A BMW representative stated, “The plaintiff [Mr. Boateng] has been taught since childhood not to place his fingers or body parts between the door and the frame while it is closing.”
However, in his lawsuit, Mr. Boateng argued that the BMW’s door system posed greater risks compared to windows, which are typically equipped with sensors to detect obstacles. He further alleged that BMW had been aware of safety concerns regarding the door system since at least 2002 but failed to take corrective action.
The lawsuit provided detailed descriptions of Mr. Boateng’s injuries, stating that the door “crushed the flesh, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, muscles, and bone structure of Boateng’s right thumb.”
After considering the evidence and testimonies from both parties, the jury ruled in favor of Mr. Boateng and awarded him $1.9 million in damages. While BMW was not found guilty of manufacturing a defective car or door system, the jury held the company fully responsible for Mr. Boateng’s injuries. It remains to be seen whether BMW will appeal the decision.
BMW continues to maintain that there were no defects in the car’s design or door system. Only time will tell if this incident will lead to changes in their future designs, prioritizing the safety of their customers above all else.
