Case Caption: Bobby and Janet Brisby, Willie May Burbridge and Michael Green v. Budget Rent-A-Car Systems 

Verdict: $47,000

Judge: Susan D. Borman 

Date of Verdict: 2/2/94

Attorneys:

Plaintiff:

Elaine R. Carlis, 

Defendant: 

Russell Porritt

Facts: 

Plaintiffs rented an automobile from Defendant Budget Rent-A-Car. The automobile had been previously reported stolen to the Detroit Police Department while rented by a third party. The vehicle was recovered and returned to defendants fleet, but was not removed from the stolen automobile list. Plaintiffs were stopped for speeding in Mississippi. A routine check indicated that the vehicle was stolen. Plaintiffs were arrested for operating a stolen vehicle and incarcerated for 18 hours while an investigation was conducted. Plaintiffs alleged that defendant was negligent in renting a vehicle which was listed as stolen on law enforcement computers. Defendant contended that: (1) they had notified the Detroit Police Department to remove the vehicle from the "stolen list" (2) it did not know the automobile had not been removed from the list (3) the police department's negligence was the proximate cause of the incident. 

Settlement efforts: Last demand : $200,00 Last offer $62,00

Insurance Carrier: self -insured 

Case status: jury deliberations 1 hour Verdict $47,000