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Simpson Interview... (7-7-2005) - Last month, Torco’s CompetitionPlus filed a report stating that Goodyear had received a letter requesting financial compensation in the death of Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell. It was revealed later that request came forth from Russell’s widow Julie. A lawsuit seeking an undisclosed amount of financial compensation was filed today. Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com caught up with Russell’s legal counsel John Simpson for this interview.
JS – No. CP - Do you expect Goodyear to respond, and if not, how soon will you institute additional legal action? JS – I don’t expect them to respond with legal action. That’s why we went ahead and filed a lawsuit today, as a matter of fact. CP - It’s our understanding that the initial letter was seeking $7M in compensation, but that if a suit went forward that amount would jump to $12.5M plus punitive damages. Are those amounts accurate? JS – No…I don’t know where you got that information. CP - If you institute a wrongful death suit who might also be named as defendants? JS – NHRA and Simpson Helmets. CP - How long do you anticipate it taking before this matter is completely settled? JS – There’s no way of telling. CP - What is Ms. Russell’s rationale for instituting this legal action? Is it a need for money for survival, or is it more in an effort to expose the actual cause of Darrell Russell’s death? JS – The first thing is to expose the cause of death. Secondly, to hold those responsible and accountable for their actions or inactions. Third, to protect other drivers in the future. CP - If this action is not about the money, what would Ms. Russell’s intention be for the distribution of any financial award she might receive? JS – I don’t have any comment on that. CP - Although it’s been reported in a magazine story that quoted an NHRA official who stated that the tire had hit Russell in the back of the head, rumors continue to circulate that some metal part of the car actually caused his head injury. Which report is accurate, the magazine story quoting the NHRA official, or the rumors? JS – It’s to my understanding the version that says he was hit in the back of the head with the piece of rubber is more accurate. CP - Is it true that the rest of the Russell family has broken with Julie on this issue, as they were not interested in her pursuing a lawsuit? JS – I haven’t had any communications with the Russell family. So, I don’t know one way or the other. CP - To your knowledge has the National Hot Rod Association tried to dissuade Ms. Russell from taking this path towards a suit? JS – Other than the refusal for disclosing the cause of the accident…no. CP – Anything else you would like to add beyond the questions asked? JS – That’s about it. This lawsuit does not include a monetary amount sought. But it does include written requests to Goodyear and the NHRA to disclose information they have for the cause of the accident. Graham Light (NHRA – VP) was interviewed shortly after the races in Madison a couple of weeks ago and said that a written report was on its way. That’s news to us. We were informed that a written report would not be issued and that it was verbal and that would be the end to it. CP – Where was this lawsuit filed? JS – In Comal County – Texas. That is
New Braunfels, the principle office for Simpson Race Helmets. |
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