Products Liability Law Reporter

Jamal Boyd bought a 2014 Honda Grom motorcycle from a friend. The next day, he stopped to fill the motorcycle’s gas tank, removing and replacing its press-on gas cap using a key. As he traveled on the motorcycle in heavy traffic, he collided with the side of a trash truck that allegedly pulled out in front of him. The gas cap popped off, causing Boyd to be doused with gasoline, which ignited. He sustained serious burns to over 50% of his body. Now 32, Boyd suffers from permanent scarring. His past medical expenses were over $1.3 million.

Boyd sued American Honda Motor Corp., alleging that the Grom motorcycle’s fuel system was defective, unreasonably dangerous, and not crashworthy. The plaintiff argued that the fuel cap configuration chosen by Honda was poorly conceived and did not account for collision circumstances that could cause the cap to detach. Moreover, the plaintiff alleged, the Grom did not include a necessary feature that would prevent the escape of fuel if the cap detached in a collision.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $20.7 million.

Citation: Boyd v. American Honda Motor Corp., No. 210702496 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Phila. Cnty. June 18, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Larry Coben, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and AAJ member Kila Baldwin, Philadelphia.

Plaintiff expert: Michaela Kuba, engineering and failure analysis, St. Louis.