Hyundai Motor Co. v. Alvarado

OPINION

PHIL HARDBERGER, Chief Justice.

This product liability suit against an automobile manufacturer, Hyundai,2 resulted in a jury verdict of $18 million. The suit was premised on the failure of a seatbelt to restrain Mario Alvarado (“Mario”), an occupant of a vehicle during an automobile accident. As a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident, Mario is permanently paralyzed from his mid-chest downwards. The jury found against Hyundai on liability, but awarded only actual damages, rejecting Mario’s assertions of gross negligence.

Hyundai appeals on nine points of error. We affirm…