United States of America v. Takata Corporation

Filing 3

ORDER denying 1 Declaration as Premature. Signed by District Judge George Caram Steeh. (MBea)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
CASE NO. 17-mc-51546
HON. GEORGE CARAM STEEH

v.
TAKATA CORPORATION,
Defendant.
/

ORDER DENYING DECLARATION (Doc. 1) AS PREMATURE
On February 27, 2017, Takata Corporation (“Takata”) pled guilty to
one count of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, arising out of its
fraudulent misrepresentations regarding its defective airbag inflators to
Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”). On the same date, the court
entered a Restitution Order requiring, among other things, that Takata pay
restitution in the amount of $125,000,000 to the individuals who have
suffered or will suffer personal injury caused by the malfunction of a Takata
airbag inflator who have not already resolved their claims against Takata.
Now before the court is a pro se submission entitled “declaration” filed by
Thomas A. Sturman seeking restitution for “any bodily injury or property
damage due to the defective air bags placed in my automobile.”

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The Restitution Order is limited to personal injury claims arising from
a defective Takata airbag inflator malfunction and does not cover property
loss. Sturman states his pleading represents his claim and proof of claim
as no form is provided on the website, “Takataspecialclaimmaster.com.”
Sturman is advised that claim forms and instructions will be available on
the Takata special master website in the very near future. Accordingly,
Sturman’s declaration (Doc. 1) is DENIED as premature, and Sturman is
advised to comply with the claim processing procedures set forth on the
Takata special master website as those procedures become available.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: November 29, 2017
s/George Caram Steeh
GEORGE CARAM STEEH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Copies of this Order were served upon attorneys of record on
November 29, 2017, by electronic and/or ordinary mail and
also on Thomas A. Sturman, 4328 Ocean View Drive,
Malibu, CA 90265.
s/Barbara Radke
Deputy Clerk

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