John Borgia was paralyzed when his seat broke off the floor and his seatbelt ripped in half when a drunk driver struck his modified minivan.

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, Chrysler Corporation, the manufacturer of the stock van, joined forces with Gilbert, Ollanik & Komyatte against the van converter, the seat maker, and the manufacturer of the seat pedestal. After receiving substantial settlements from the other defendants, Gilbert, Ollanik & Komyatte tried the case side by side with Chrysler's lawyers against Coachmen, the manufacturer of the seat pedestal. A verdict from a Los Angeles jury sent a message to van conversion companies that the auto industry, at least Chrysler, would no longer protect them from deficient van conversion work that put consumers at risk, and that juries would hold them accountable.