Opinion ID: 1219560
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Other accidents and analogous machines.

Text: Robinson tried to offer evidence at trial of other accidents that occurred with similar commercial machines to show that Enterprise knew of the danger this machine posed. This court has recognized that prior and subsequent accidents are admissible in an action based on strict liability. Beattie v. Thomas, 99 Nev. 579, 668 P.2d 268 (1983) (prior and subsequent mishaps are admissible to show faulty design); Ginnis v. Mapes Hotel Corp., 86 Nev. 408, 470 P.2d 135 (1970). In Ginnis, the plaintiff was injured in an automatic door. We held that evidence of prior and subsequent repair orders and subsequent accidents involving the same door were admissible to show a defective and dangerous condition and causation. Id. at 413, 470 P.2d at 139. Robinson tried to offer evidence of safety devices on analogous machines to show that the interlocking guard that Enterprise should have included in the baler had been available for many years. This court has recognized that alternative safer designs are a factor in determining the existence of a design defect. McCourt v. J.C. Penney Co., 103 Nev. 101, 734 P.2d 696 (1987). In McCourt, we reversed a defense verdict because the jury was not given the opportunity to feel alternative safer fabrics, even though the defense expert claimed that such fabrics were uncomfortable and therefore not commercially feasible. We noted that when commercial feasibility is in dispute, the court must permit the plaintiff to impeach the defense expert with evidence of alternative design. Id. at 103, 734 P.2d at 698. In this case, Enterprise's expert testified that the design was reasonably safe, and that it was the state of the art at the time it was built. Robinson should have had the chance to dispute that claim with evidence of alternative designs that were available at the time. [2]