RUSSELL LAWSUIT DETAILS SEALED
Mon, 2007-10-15 10:27
The details of the Julie Russell lawsuit versus the NHRA and Goodyear was
settled last week, but details of the settlement will likely never be known
outside of the litigation circle.
Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com confirmed with a member of the NHRA’s
management team that the case had been settled before the court case was
scheduled to begin on Monday.
We spoke with Julie Russell’s trial attorney, Judd Waltman, who spoke to
us on her behalf. He confirmed a settlement was reached, but declined to discuss
the details.
“We were supposed to go to trial on Monday and didn’t go,” Waltman said.
“The case was resolved.”
Waltman said he could speak in a limited manner on the NHRA’s side but
was unable to comment at all on the Goodyear portion of the suit.
Was there a financial settlement from the
NHRA?
“The case was settled but the terms are confidential,” Waltman
said.
Was there any kind of an information settlement? Ms. Russell had stated
that she wanted answers as to the cause of her husband’s
death.
“I think she – and none of this is intended to be a comment on a
settlement term with the hot rod association – and I am making no comment
whatsoever on Goodyear – within the context of what went on in the suit I think
she was able to satisfy herself with what went on and why -- through the efforts
of – you know – what happened (during) discovery and what happened in the
lawsuit.”
Was any new information provided that answered her
questions?
“Nothing that I can disclose to you because that’s separate from the
settlement agreement – a lot of the stuff that would exchange between Goodyear
and us and NHRA was subject to trade secrets, (and) the judge refused to allow
disclosure (of those) and the ones he did allow disclosure of is subject only to
the parties involved in the lawsuit,” Waltman said.
Was the settlement of this case in effect, an admission of guilt by the
NHRA and Goodyear?
“I can’t answer that question because it goes to the terms of settlement
of the agreement with the NHRA and I can’t comment on Goodyear,” Waltman
said.
Waltman added, “I am not trying to be difficult with the media. We over
here, when it is appropriate, will discuss certain things either by agreement or
judges order – all the stuff I’ve left unsaid I’ve left (unsaid) because I’ve
either agreed to leave it unsaid or the judge has ordered me to leave it
unsaid.”
In all likelihood, this is how this lawsuit will go down in history –
silent and alongside the Pro Stock Truck lawsuit – also under a non-disclosure
order.
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