A Florida man was awarded $3 million in damages after a defective Takata airbag exploded during a crash, sending metal shrapnel into his arm in a case that highlights the deadly consequences of automotive safety failures.
Key Takeaways
- Jose Hernandez received a $3 million verdict for injuries sustained when a defective airbag in his 2005 Honda Civic sent metal shrapnel into his arm during a 2020 crash.
- Takata airbag malfunctions have been linked to at least 28 deaths in the United States and 36 worldwide, with over 400 Americans suffering injuries.
- The defect stems from Takata’s use of ammonium nitrate, which can deteriorate over time and explode with excessive force, causing the metal canister to break apart.
- Recalls of defective Takata airbags began in 2013, making this one of the largest and most dangerous automotive safety recalls in history.
- Hernandez’s successful lawsuit against the Takata Airbag Tort Compensation Trust Fund demonstrates the ongoing legal consequences for automotive safety failures.
South Florida Victim Awarded Millions After Airbag Turned Into Deadly Weapon
A South Florida jury delivered justice for Jose Hernandez by awarding him $3 million in damages following a lawsuit filed in 2022 against the Takata Airbag Tort Compensation Trust Fund. The case stemmed from a 2020 crash involving Hernandez’s 2005 Honda Civic, where instead of protecting him as designed, the vehicle’s airbag inflator exploded improperly. The malfunction sent metal fragments into Hernandez’s arm, causing serious injuries that required extensive medical treatment and ultimately led to his legal pursuit of compensation.
A South Florida jury has awarded $3 million to a man who was severely injured by a defective airbag in a 2020 crash. https://t.co/hX41zA1a9N
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) May 6, 2025
Deadly Defect Has Claimed Dozens of Lives Nationwide
The verdict in Hernandez’s case represents just one victim of what has become one of America’s most deadly automotive safety failures. Takata airbag inflators have been conclusively linked to at least 28 deaths in the United States alone and 36 deaths worldwide. Beyond these fatalities, more than 400 Americans have suffered injuries similar to Hernandez’s when these defective safety devices malfunctioned. The scope of this safety crisis prompted large-scale recalls beginning in 2013, but clearly many dangerous vehicles remained on the road years later.
Chemical Instability at Heart of Deadly Defect
The fundamental problem with these airbags stems from Takata‘s decision to use ammonium nitrate as the propellant in their inflators. This chemical compound, which deteriorates when exposed to heat and humidity over time, becomes increasingly unstable. When triggered during a crash, the deteriorated ammonium nitrate can explode with excessive force, causing the metal canister containing it to rupture violently. This explosion sends metal fragments—essentially shrapnel—flying through the passenger compartment at high velocity, turning a safety device into a deadly weapon.
Corporate Negligence Carries Heavy Consequences
The Takata airbag crisis represents a catastrophic failure of corporate responsibility in the automotive industry. The Japanese company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2017 after the full scope of the defect became apparent, but not before its products had claimed dozens of lives. The Takata Airbag Tort Compensation Trust Fund, which Hernandez successfully sued, was established to compensate victims after the company’s financial collapse. The $3 million awarded to Hernandez acknowledges not just his physical injuries but also the emotional trauma and financial burden he suffered as a result of corporate negligence.
Ongoing Recall Efforts Continue
Despite years of recall efforts, dangerous Takata airbags remain in thousands of vehicles still on American roads. This highlights the persistent challenges in automotive safety enforcement, where recall completion rates often fail to reach 100%. Vehicle owners must remain vigilant about checking recall notices and ensuring prompt repairs, especially for safety-critical components like airbags. Hernandez’s case serves as a powerful reminder that automotive safety devices, when flawed, can cause more harm than the accidents they’re designed to mitigate, making manufacturer accountability and regulatory oversight essential to public safety.
