Livingston County man awarded $287m in lawsuit against Harley-Davidson

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Harley-Davidson was ordered to pay $287 million after the company was found liable in a lawsuit stemming from the death of a trike rider in Livingston County.

The initial verdict came down last Wednesday, finding that the company had a defective traction-control system that resulted in the 2020 death of Harold Morris’ longtime companion Pamela Sinclair.

The system’s software malfunctioned, causing 75-year-old Morris to lose control of the three-wheeled vehicle and go off the highway. He was seriously injured while 63-year old Sinclair, his passenger, died from her injuries.

In 2019, the trike experienced the same malfunction, resulting in a crash. Morris and Sinclair were injured in that accident, but their injuries were not considered serious. Morris said he believed the vehicle was fixed after a subsequent recall.

Harley-Davidson had claimed Morris was to blame for both crashes, adding that they plan to appeal.

The jury’s verdict will be examined on November 8.

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