I’m a little late in reporting this story.  The Sacramento Bee reported last week that a jury in San Francisco awarded $73 million in damages against Ford, including $50 million in punitive damages, in a lawsuit arising from a fatal accident involving an Econoline van.  The plaintiffs accused Ford of despicable conduct in failing to notify consumers of a tire recall notice from Goodyear. Ford took the position that the deaths would not have occurred if the plaintiffs had been wearing their seat belts.