BMW has been ordered by a court to pay US$1.9 million (Rs 15.86 crores) to Godwin Boateng, a software engineer who lost his thumb due to a malfunctioning door on his BMW X5. In July 2016, Boateng was resting his hand on the edge of the driver-side door when it continued to close despite the obstruction, severing the tip of his right thumb. Despite medical efforts, the thumb could not be reattached, leading to an eight-year legal battle that ended in Boateng’s favor.
Boateng argued that the injury would significantly impact his ability to work as a software engineer, potentially causing annual losses of $250,000 (Rs 2.08 crores). Although BMW contended that their owner’s manual warns against placing body parts between the door and frame, the jury found the automaker liable for damages. BMW’s lawyer, Phil Dilanni, stated that the company stands by its products and may appeal the court’s decision.
This case highlights a broader issue with soft-close doors in BMW vehicles, with at least 44 reported injuries worldwide. Boateng’s lawyers pointed out similar incidents, including a 2022 lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz, where a user lost part of their thumb in a soft-close door of a GLE SUV. Despite no defect being identified in Boateng’s BMW X5 door, the jury ruled in his favor, underscoring the potential risks associated with these types of doors.