Opinion ID: 1435188
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Strict Liability Failure to Warn Claim Against Westendorf

Text: Menz's strict liability claim against Westendorf is based solely on Westendorf's alleged failure to warn about the propensity of the loader to cause tractors to become dangerously unstable and susceptible of tipping over under normal use conditions. In granting summary judgment in Westendorf's favor, the district court found Menz (1) failed to present expert testimony on the causation element of his failure to warn claim, (2) was not entitled to a presumption that he would have heeded an absent warning, and (3) could not counter Ryan's expert opinion by submitting his own affidavit. Westendorf, 460 F.Supp.2d at 1055-56, 1056 n. 9-10. For the same reasons discussed with regard to Menz's failure to warn claim against New Holland and Ford, we similarly affirm the grant of summary judgment on Menz's claim against Westendorf. First, the district court did not abuse its discretion in requiring Menz to present expert testimony given the complexities of the product at issue, and given a lay jury's probable lack of the experience and knowledge necessary to determine causation. See Pro. Serv. Auto., 469 F.3d at 1214; Cole, 967 S.W.2d at 185. Menz failed to present such evidence, because Ryan clearly testified there was no warning that would have changed the outcome of the accident. Second, Menz is not entitled to a presumption that he would have heeded a warning and altered his activities. See Arnold, 834 S.W.2d at 194 (holding presumption arises only when there is sufficient evidence from which a jury could find the plaintiff did not already know of the specific danger involved). Finally, Menz cannot contradict his expert witness's opinion by submitting his own affidavit regarding Menz's knowledge at the time of the accident and the effect of a warning. See Silberstein, 460 S.W.2d at 710. Because Menz failed to make a submissible case with regard to the causation element of his failure to warn claim, summary judgment in Westendorf's favor was proper.