Mercedes Benz Airbag Lawsuit

The Takata airbags, created by the now-bankrupt Japanese company known as the Takata Corporation, were installed in vehicles from 2002 through 2015. Since 2009, there have been roughly 30 deaths, 24 of which were in the U.S., and more than 400 injuries worldwide in various automakers' vehicles, all of which were connected to the Takata airbags. This prompted an investigation by the NHTSA, which discovered that the 70 million vehicles fitted with Takata airbag inflators were a safety risk for drivers and their passengers. 

The agency then determined that the vehicles with the airbags installed should be recalled. Since then, the Takata airbags recall has affected vehicles in more than 40 countries and has become one of the largest and most expensive recalls in history.

The NHTSA reported that the root cause of the exploding airbags comes from the design and the chemical compound the company used to inflate the airbags. The airbag design had a metal cartridge loaded with ammonium-nitrate-based propellant, a "cost-efficient" fertilizer and highly flammable chemical typically found in bombs. When loading the compound into the metal cartridge, Takata did not include a chemical drying agent.

Without the drying agent, things like environmental changes, high temperatures, the aging of the airbag, or an accident could cause the inflator's housing to rupture. This rupture can propel metal shards from the airbag throughout the passenger cabin, leaving those in the vehicle with severe injuries or, in some cases, can lead to death.

Over the years, thousands of vehicles on the road have been directly affected by the Takata airbag recalls, including those vehicles manufactured by Mercedes Benz. Below is a list of the following vehicles that have been recalled by Mercedes for containing the Takata airbags.

• 2005 C230 Kompressor
• 2006-2007 C230
• 2008-2011 C300
• 2008-2011 C300 4Matic
• 2005 C320
• 2006-2011 C350
• 2009-2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
• 2010-2011 E350
• 2010-2011 E350 4Matic
• 2011 E350 Cabriolet
• 2010-2011 E550
• 2010-2011 E550 4Matic
• 2011 E550 Cabriolet
• 2010-2011 E63 AMG
• 2009-2010 GL320 BlueTec 4Matic
• 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic
• 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic
• 2009-2012 GL550 4Matic
• 2010-2012 GLK350
• 2010-2012 GLK350 4Matic
• 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic
• 2009-2011 ML350
• 2009-2011 ML350 4Matic
• 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid
• 2009-2011 ML550 4Matic
• 2009-2011 ML63 AMG
• 2007-2008 SLK280
• 2007-2008 SLK350
• 2007-2008 SLK55 AMG
• 2011-2014 SLS AMG
• 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet
• 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT
• 2009-2010 R320 CDI 4Matic
• 2009-2010 R320 CDI 4Matic
• 2009-2012 R350 4Matic
• 2011-2012 R350 BlueTec 4Matic

Mercedes Benz customers who do not see their vehicle on this list but are still concerned if their vehicle has been affected by the Takata recall can head to the NHTSA's website and enter their car's vehicle identification number. Customers can also enter their car's vehicle identification number into the Mercedes-Benz recall search engine to learn more or contact their local Mercedes dealership.

Each vehicle involved in the recall may have a different section of affected airbags. For more information, owners may enter their car's vehicle identification number into the Mercedes-Benz recall search engine, which will provide information on whether the driver-side, passenger-side, or both frontal airbags in their vehicle are included in the Takata recall.

The violent and overly aggressive Takata airbag deployments, ruptures, and explosions may cause drivers and their passengers to suffer from the following injuries:

• Brain injury or concussion
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Compound fractures
• Excessive black eyes
• Facial or cranial fractures
• Hearing damage or loss
• Neck damage or break
• Permanent scarring
• Serious cuts or avulsions
• Spinal fractures
• Rib, sternum and/or clavicle fractures
• Vision damage or loss
• Vocal damage or loss

Drivers and other vehicle occupants may also suffer fatal injuries when defective Takata airbags are deployed. If you or a loved one have suffered from any of the previously mentioned injuries, we may be able to help you recover financial compensation. Drivers and other vehicle occupants may also suffer fatal injuries when defective Takata airbags are deployed. If you or a loved one have suffered from any of the previously mentioned injuries, we may be able to help you recover financial compensation. Victims may be eligible to recover compensation in the following forms:

• Healthcare expenses
• Loss of wages
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Emotional distress
• and more.

For more information on what you may be eligible to recover, you can contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney by completing our case evaluation form to have one of our attorneys review your case at no cost. 

For over 35 years, our law firm has been dedicated to helping our clients get the justice they deserve after they've been injured in an accident. At Morgan & Morgan, our law firm has a track record of taking on the automotive industry and ensuring our clients have the best opportunity to recover the most out of their injury cases. Our attorneys have the experience and the largest resources in the country to help you take on major automakers like Mercedes Benz.

For more information on how a Morgan & Morgan attorney can help your case, or if you have questions regarding the Takata airbags recall, contact our law firm today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.