Transfer Order Granted to Consolidate Pre-Trial Proceedings in Rhino ATV Cases

The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“MDL”) entered a Transfer Order on February 13, 2009, granting a motion to consolidate the pre-trial proceedings for 55 personal injury and wrongful death cases pending in federal court against Yamaha Motor Corporation. These product liability cases involve the Yamaha ATV model, Rhino, and prior to consolidation, had been filed as individual court actions throughout the United States. The consolidated cases have been assigned to the Honorable Jennifer B. Coffman in the Western District of Kentucky. These cases collectively allege that the Rhino ATV is defectively designed and prone to rollovers, causing occupant ejection and severe injuries, or in some cases, even death. According to the transfer order, centralization of the pre-trial proceedings would allow Yamaha to provide uniform discovery responses to each of plaintiffs’ counsel, prevent inconsistent rulings in the individual cases, and conserve the resources of all parties and courts involved.