LOAD LIMITERS- SEAT BELT ENERGY MANAGEMENT DEVICE / LOOPS
Seat belt that appear to be torn usuallly are equipped with load limiters, sometimes called energy management loop,fused belts, EO Loop, EA Loop, sewn loops, fusable links or tug restraints have been around since the 1970's.  They were originally used by some auto makers to assist in passing the FMVSS 208 test by lowering the chest G's experienced by occupants. When the seatbelt webbing is loaded and at a designed pressure load, the stitches fail and tear under tension and absorb some of the energy during a wreck.The torn seat belt webbing loops increase the distance and the time of the acceleration change the occupant is undergoing. Load limiters allow belts to yield slightly during a crash to reduce the force on chest acceleration and chest deflection. The automakers are proud to claim that the Seat Belt Energy Management System allow safety belts to yield in a crash, preventing the shoulder belt from directing too much energy on the chest of the occupant, but never inform the consumer of the increased dangers from the use of load limiters during a severe crash. As stated above, the basic concept of a load limiter is to release a little more excess belt webbing at a time when a great deal of force is applied to the belt. The simplest load limiter is a fold of seat belt webbing creating a loop sewn into the belt.The stitches holding the fold in place are designed to break when a certain amount of force is applied to the belt. When the stitches come apart, the webbing unfolds, allowing the belt to extend a little bit more and allow the body to ride down the energy or decelerate.
 In the picture above, please notice the belt inside of a plastic housing (From about 1" through 9.5 inches). Inside is the sewn seat belt webbing that is stitched in loops is housed. When the energy is applied in a typical deceleration, the loops will load one at a time until all the energy they can absorb is used allowing a dangerous amount of additional slack to be introduced into the belt. The Picture right shows the load limiter having been in a wreck and energy loads applied. Note the torn stitches in the seat belt from being loaded during a wreck.
Load limiters seat belt energy management systems have been found to be effective in passive systems in reducing chest loads. However, they have the major flaw or defect in design as these energy absorbing seat belts also allow too much head movement and acceleration due to extra slack in the seat belt webbing thereby increasing the chances of serious head, neck and spinal cord damage.
SEAT BELT DEFECT LAWSUIT - LOAD LIMITING SEAT BELT DEVICES
 If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed as a result of an load limiter, energy management device, sewn loop, fusible seat belt,or injured by any other type of seat belt, lap belt or shoulder belt, then call us to discuss what can be done to protect your legal rights.Call for a Free Confidential Consultation at 1-800-883-9858
PLEASE NOTE: The statements and information provided on this web site are for the informational purposes only. This law firm is not affiliated in any way with any trademark owner. The use of any trademarks on this site is for product identification and information purposes only. This webpage is provided to you to assist in information about seat belt injuries, seatbelt deaths, seat belt defects, rear seat or center seat lap only belt injury, lawsuits, seat belt buckle failure, buckle opening, NHTSA recall, torn webbing, seat belt recalls, seatbelt retractors, plastic buckle housing defects, problems with the tall end release buttons on the Generation 3 or Gen 3 seat belt buckle button on some Chrysler vehicles, lap belt injury, excessive slack in belt webbing, automatic belt injuries,and other seat belt defects and failures.This site is not intended to provide legal advice to the reader and NO attorney-client relationship shall be deemed to arise from the receipt this page and/or its associated pages or any oral or e-mail communication to or from with the Willis Law Firm. There will be NO lawsuits filed, claims made, letters or phone calls made for a prospective client, until that person is represented by the firm. An attorney client relationship only arises after the attorney and client have signed a written attorney client contract.
Mr. Willis is licensed attorney in New York and Texas. He is a Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Read more about Board Certification, Click Here. Principle office is Houston, Texas.
Mr. Willis has represented clients in personal injury, auto accident, seat belt defects, suv rollover, van & truck rollovers and other product liability and negligence cases from across the United States, including clients from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin & West Virginia.
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