SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Jeep dealership in Rochester Hills has agreed to a settlement with the family of a mechanic who was killed on the job in March 2020 after the victim's family sued the owner of the car.Attorney David Femminineo told FOX 2 that the dealership, Rochester Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge, and the family of Jeffrey Hawkins agreed to an undisclosed settlement after he was killed on March 13, 2020, when the owner of a Jeep brought his car in for an oil change.
What happened was the dealership indemnified - took responsibility for - the legal responsibility of the Jeep owner. For further explanation of indemnity, scroll down as we explain the legal definition.
Under Michigan law, if someone is injured or killed and a vehicle is involved, the owner of the car is responsible. MORE: Car owner who left Jeep at dealership gets sued after worker dies during oil changeSo the Jeep owner, who was waiting in the lobby at the time of Hawkins' death, was responsible in the civil case.
There were no criminal charges filed in Hawkins' death. Femminineo had sued the Jeep owner for $15 million."We can't (sue the dealership) because of a legal standard that is involved," he said.