Opinion ID: 3045899
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Effectiveness of Back-Over

Text: Protection Devices In the wake of discussions about lawn mower design, different types of NMIR devices have been designed to prevent the motor from powering the blade if an operator shifts a riding mower into reverse.6 In fact, in 1976, Simplicity received two patents for mechanical and electrical interlocks that prevent blades from spinning while a riding mower is backing up. App. 588-89. NMIR devices often include an “override” feature that conditions reverse mowing upon a series of maneuvers (e.g., an override button) that compel the operator to focus his/her attention on backing up and take some action to power the blades while the mower is operating in reverse. However, even with such an option, the blades will automatically stop 6 These devices include: (1) a blade brake which stops the blades each time the mower is shifted into reverse; (2) automatically stopping the engine if the mower is shifted into reverse without the operator disengaging the blades; (3) automatically locking the wheels if the blade is still spinning while the mower is shifted into reverse; and (4) an interlock which prevents the mower from being shifted into reverse if the blades are spinning. App. 556-58. 10 when the mower is shifted into reverse in normal operation. App. 557. In 2003, the new ANSI standards, drafted by OPEI, required an NMIR design. App. 578-80. Thereafter, in September 2004, Simplicity incorporated NMIR devices into its riding mowers.7 7 Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that only admissible evidence be offered in summary judgment proceedings. Evidence of subsequent remedial measures is not admissible to prove negligence, culpable conduct, a defect in a product, a defect in a product’s design, or a need for a warning or instruction. Fed. R. Evid. 407. However, subsequent remedial measures need not be excluded if, as here, they are introduced for the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of the design. Id. The district court did not discuss this evidence, nor explain why it was not considered. The Product Liability Advisory Council, Amicus Curiae in support of Simplicity, contends in a footnote that Berrier’s evidence of subsequent design changes as well as subsequent (ANSI) industry standards, is inadmissible to show negligence and strict liability. It cites Duchess v. Langston Corp., 769 A.2d 1131, 1145 (Pa. 2001) (recognizing that the general proscription against the admission of evidence of subsequent remedial measures precludes use of a subsequent design change as substantive evidence of a product defect in a strict products liability case), and Lewis v. Coffing Hoist Division, 528 A.2d 590, 594 (Pa. 1987) (industry standards are inadmissible in strict liability), in 11 support of its position. However, there are several reasons why this evidence can be considered. First, the Council is correct that Pennsylvania law generally prohibits the admission of evidence of subsequent remedial measures, including the use of a subsequent design change as substantive evidence of a product defect in a strict products liability case. See Duchess at 1145. However, like the Federal Rule governing admissibility, where the machine manufacturer places feasibility in issue, exceptions in the rule governing subsequent remedial measures are admissible to establish the feasibility of the alternate design. Id. at 1150; see also Pa. R. Evid. 407 (excepting from the rule evidence that proves controverted matters including feasibility of precautionary measures). Second, the “industry standard” evidence excluded in Lewis was offered by the defendants as part of their defense to a strict liability claim. See LaBelle ex rel. LaBelle v. Philip Morris, Inc., 243 F. Supp. 2d 508, 520 (D.S.C. 2001) (distinguishing Lewis, 528 A.2d 590). Lewis does not address whether industry standard evidence is inadmissible in a design defect claim based on a negligence theory, nor does it hold that the safety designs available at the time of manufacture have no relevance to a strict liability design defect claim. For the Berriers to sustain their negligence claim, they must show that Simplicity failed to exercise due care. Evidence of alternate designs is admissible to refute Simplicity’s claim that NMIR devices would decrease the social utility of the mower, see Pa. R. Evid. 407, as well as to show the “state of the art” of safety design at the relevant time. See Phatak v. 12