A Luxury Nightmare: The $20.8 Million Lawsuit Against Ferrari Québec
What was supposed to be a day of admiring automotive excellence turned into a life-altering tragedy for Richard Papazian. Now, the Montreal resident is seeking $20.8 million in damages through a massive lawsuit targeting Ferrari Québec, its executives, employees, and even the parent company in Italy.
The incident, which took place on August 7, 2024, reveals a shocking lapse in safety protocols at one of the most prestigious dealerships in Canada, involving a vehicle owned by multimillionaire Luc Poirier.
The “Ticking Time Bomb”: How the Accident Happened
According to the legal filings, the disaster was a result of gross negligence. While Mr. Papazian was shopping for collectible cars, a dealership employee attempted to start a Ferrari 360 belonging to Luc Poirier. However, the vehicle was far from road-ready.
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- The Fatal Flaw: Weeks prior, another employee had removed crucial engine components—specifically the fuel rail and injectors.
- The Ignition: Because these parts were missing, fuel leaked and accumulated as vapors. Repeated attempts to start the engine eventually ignited the fuel.
- The Blast: The resulting fireball immediately engulfed Mr. Papazian, who was standing beside the car. In a desperate attempt to escape, he slipped on the fuel spilling across the floor, intensifying the trauma.
A Life Forever Changed
The physical and emotional toll on Richard Papazian has been catastrophic. The victim suffered severe burns over 56% of his body and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He spent a harrowing month in a coma before finally returning home 120 days later.
The aftermath is a grim reminder of the permanence of such injuries. Mr. Papazian now battles chronic kidney disease, permanent physical disfigurement, and severe damage to his vocal cords.
Corporate Coldness and Legal Fallout
The lawsuit doesn’t just focus on the accident, but on the alleged lack of empathy from the dealership’s leadership. The filing claims that shareholder Gad Bitton treated the tragedy as a mere business transaction. Instead of genuine sympathy, Bitton allegedly offered “crumbs” in the form of limited-edition Ferraris that Papazian could sell for profit.
Adding insult to injury, Ferrari Québec has reportedly failed to refund a $20,000 deposit that Papazian had placed on another vehicle prior to the explosion.
The Role of Luc Poirier
While the car involved belonged to Luc Poirier, the lawsuit explicitly states that the businessman had nothing to do with the negligence. Poirier had brought his car to the dealership solely for cosmetic repairs to the dashboard and was completely unaware that the engine had been tampered with.
In a bizarre twist, Poirier claims he wasn’t even notified by the dealership about the explosion; he only found out through an anonymous phone call. He has since confirmed that the vehicle was a total loss and has been compensated by his insurance.
For more information on automotive safety standards, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to understand the importance of vehicle maintenance and safety protocols.
This case highlights the critical intersection of luxury, liability, and the devastating cost of corporate negligence.
