Kevin Hubbard, Edwardsville

Eric Kantola, Maryville

Chastity Porterfield, St. Louis

Jason Finke, Fairview Heights

Sam Kaniu, Spanish Lake

Lawrence Harris, E. St. Louis

Mike Richardson (Brake repairman), Wood River

"On a technical level, there were defects, and the victims should have been compensated, but $43 million was horribly excessive. These kinds of settlements are driving American businesses overseas."
Kevin Hubbard, Edwardsville

"Ford has a history of "cold blooded" executive strategic decisions, like the case years ago with the Ford Pinto, where Ford opted it more economically sound to close their eyes to the defects, rather than recalling the Pintos, and fixing the problem. It's unfortunate that these kinds of settlements will be passed onto the consumers."
Eric Kantola, Maryville

"I believe some form of punishment was necessary, but this settlement was excessive. As an advocate for small businesses, these large settlements affect the whole community. In reality, the money isn't going to make the women any better."
Chastity Porterfield, St. Louis

"On the issue of negligence in design, I'm led to believe that Ford was probably aware of the problem. And if they were aware of the design problem, why didn't they correct the problem? For a corporation such as Ford, $43 million dollars isn't excessive -it's the only way to get a message to them."
Jason Finke, Fairview Heights

"I don't think one can equate money to the loss of life. The gas tank should've been put in a safe place, but if it was designed to an area where it was prone to ignite, then $43 million dollars is an adequate amount. On the other hand, if lawyers are paid up to 15 percent of the settlement money -that's extortion. If they are for the people, then why take so much?"
Sam Kaniu, Spanish Lake, Mo.

"The victims should have been awarded $43 million dollars -or more. I'm sure Ford knew of the design defect. As a matter of fact, there should be an investigation into other accidents caused by the design error. Is Ford's priority to make cars faster and efficient, over making them safer?"
Lawrence Harris, East St. Louis

"Ford putting the gas tank behind the rear axle was a bad decision because there's nothing to stop the impact. But, Ford has multiple histories of vehicle recalls. $43 million dollars is not too much, because no amount of money is worth a human life."
Mike Richardson, Wood River