Opinion ID: 1687228
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: application for writ of error

Text: In its Application for Writ of Error, Firestone argues that the court of appeals erred because it improperly held that Firestone's summary judgment evidence did not negate the Barajases' claims that Firestone manufactured, designed or sold a component part of the wheel that allegedly killed Jimmy Barajas. Firestone also argues that the court of appeals erred in concluding that Firestone's original design idea could subject Firestone to liability for injury caused by a product that was designed, manufactured and sold by a different entity. Firestone argues that the court of appeals' decision creates an expansive new cause of action for original design defects that is not recognized under strict liability tort law in Texas. The Barajases respond that the court of appeals was correct in reversing Firestone's summary judgment. The Barajases assert that Firestone's summary judgment motion and proof did not meet the Barajases' allegations and proof that: (1) Firestone originally designed, patented, licensed and marketed the tire/rim combination using the 15-degree-bead-taper and low-flange-height features; (2) Firestone was the cause and the primary cause of such design becoming a standard for the tire-wheel industry; (3) Firestone was a producing, proximate and legal cause of the use of that design in the wheel in question; (4) Firestone originally designed, initiated, promoted, marketed and introduced to the tire-wheel and vehicle industries the 16.5-inch nominal diameter drop-center single piece wheel/rim design such as the wheel in question; and (5) but for Firestone, this system would not exist today. The Barajas further argue that Firestone had a duty to warn users including their son, Jimmy, of the hazards associated with the use of its products. The Barajases conclude that because Firestone patented, marketed and licensed the 15-degree-bead-taper design and the low-flange-height feature and the 16.5-inch wheel, Firestone should be held accountable the same as if Firestone had manufactured the particular wheel in question. We granted Firestone's application for writ of error.