Takata Corp. has been hit with a wrongful death lawsuit by a South Carolina family who alleges that a loved one died from fatal injuries caused by a defective exploding Takata airbag installed in the deceased’s Honda Accord.

The Takata airbag defect lawsuit was filed in November by the family of Mary W. who allegedly died on Feb. 15, 2008 at the age of 57 in the wake of a vehicular accident involving her 2002 Honda Accord.

According to the Takata airbag defect lawsuit, Mary’s vehicle skidded off the road and subsequently crashed into a tree, causing the Takata airbag to deploy. However, instead of deploying and protecting Mary from the impact of the crash, the allegedly defective airbag exploded.

Mary was allegedly subjected to excessive force from the crash and suffered serious injuries as a result of the defective Takata airbag. These injuries include respiratory failure, liver damage, brain injury, and finally a cervical spinal fracture.

Mary’s family has brought several allegations against Takata in this defective airbag lawsuit, including claims of negligence, gross negligence, willful and wanton conduct, manufacturing defect, strict liability, failure to warn, breach of implied warranties, and wrongful death.

Mary is one of six people who have allegedly died due to a defective Takata airbag, though there are reports that the number of Takata airbag deaths may be higher.

The Takata Airbag Defect Lawsuit is Case No. 5:14-cv-04485-JMC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Takata Airbag Recall

Over the past year, Takata has recalled 8 million vehicles of various makes and models that contained allegedly defective Takata airbags.

According to the airbag defect lawsuits filed against the company, Takata airbags have a design defect that allows moisture to seep into the airbag system and come in contact with the ammonium nitrate chemical.

When not contaminated, this chemical allows the airbag to ignite and inflate during a collision. However, when the chemical is exposed to moisture, the airbag can explode.

Plastic and metal shrapnel from the exploding Takata airbag is reportedly shot at a high velocity and force into inside the vehicle, injuring drivers and passengers.

The Takata airbag recall has affected over 50 different models manufactured by Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and a number of other automakers that were made between 2000 and 2011.

This airbag recall includes, but is not limited to:

• Acura – MDX / TL / CL / RL
• BMW – 3 Series Sedan / Coupe / Convertible / Wagon, M3 Coupe / Convertible
• Chrysler – 300, Aspen
• Dodge – Ram 1500 / 2500 / 3500/ 4500 / 5500, Durango, Dakota
• Ford – GT, Mustang, Ranger
• Honda – Accord, Civic, CRV, Element, Odyssey, Pilot
• Infiniti – I30, I35, QX4, FX35, FX45
• Lexus – SC
• Mazda – 6, Speed 6, RX, 8, MPV, B Series Truck
• Mitsubishi – Lancer, Raider
• Nissan – Maxima, Pathfinder, Sentra
• Pontiac – Vibe
• Saab – 9-2X
• Subaru – Baja, Legacy, Outback, Impreza
• Toyota – Corolla, Sequoia, Tundra

Because of the sheer number of cars allegedly affected by the Takata airbag defect and the claims that the company knew of the defect since 2001, many consumers have filed Takata airbag lawsuits or have joined Takata airbag class action lawsuits.