Subtle Member Wins $18 million Lawsuit

BY Josiah HughesPublished May 29, 2009

Back in 2005, Anticon hip-hop crew Subtle were in the middle of their tour when their tour bus hit a patch of black ice and flipped two and a half times. Almost everyone in the group was okay, but Subtle's Dax Pierson had his seat break lose from the vehicle's floor, and was slammed head-first into the roof of the Ford van. Tragically, this left him completely paralyzed in his arms and legs.

Fortunately, however, the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that a judge this week ruled in favour of Pierson in a lawsuit against Ford, saying the accident was indeed the manufacture's fault and awarding Pierson $18.3 million ($12.3 million for medical fees and another $6 million for pain and suffering). Ford tried to defend that their vehicle had met all the quality and safety standards, and tried to blame the driver. Pierson's lawyers bounced back, saying, "The main problem was the seat... If the attachment didn't fail, Dax would have been just like the others, uninjured."

Before you jump at the staggering amount of dollars, consider that Pierson can only contribute to his band with very specific computer software, and must be kept under constant 24-hour supervision. Add to that the cost of medical care in the United States, and the amount begins to seem like the bare minimum for a slightly comfortable life, so it's nice to see Pierson getting what he's owed.

Subtle released their album exitingARM last year.

Latest Coverage