Opinion ID: 2585468
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: As an alternative argument in its response, Case argues that insufficient evidence existed to support the jury's determination that a manufacturing defect existed. This argument was not addressed by the Court of Appeals. When a verdict is challenged for insufficiency of evidence or as being contrary to the evidence, it is not the function of the appellate court to weigh the evidence or pass on the credibility of the witnesses. If the evidence, with all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, when considered in the light most favorable to the prevailing party, supports the verdict, it will not be disturbed on appeal. [Citation omitted.] Dougan v. Rossville Drainage Dist., 270 Kan. 468, 478, 15 P.3d 338 (2000). Plaintiffs were required to present evidence supporting the elements for a claim of breach of the implied warranty of merchantability. To demonstrate a breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, plaintiff must show that the goods were defective, that the defect was present when the goods left the manufacturer's control, and that the defect caused the injury sustained by plaintiff. See K.S.A. 84-2-314; Mays, 233 Kan. at 54; Black v. Don Schmid Motor, Inc., 232 Kan. 458, 657 P.2d 517 (1983); Voelker, 846 F. Supp. at 1475-76. These elements may be proven inferentially, by either direct or circumstantial evidence. For circumstantial evidence to make out a prima facie case, it must tend to negate other reasonable causes, or there must be an expert opinion that the product was defective. Because liability in a products liability action cannot be based on mere speculation, guess, or conjecture, the circumstances shown must justify an inference of probability as distinguished from mere possibility. Mays, 233 Kan. at 54. Case contends there was insufficient evidence that the alleged defect existed when the combine left its custody and control. Case argues that the evidence showed that since Case tested each combine's hydraulic system for leaks before it left the factory that plaintiffs' combine had no leaks. In addition, Case maintains that plaintiffs' evidence left gaps in the life of the combine which do not allow the inference they sought. The testimony established that neither plaintiffs nor anyone from J & W Equipment had performed any maintenance or other work in the area of the valve body or that involved the fittings, particularly the feeder clutch engagement fitting or the feeder clutch disengagement fitting. Douglas testified that they had operated Case combines since 1990 without ever cleaning out the transmission area on a daily basis, yet had never experienced any fires on other Case combines. The field conditions were wet on the day of the combine fire. Douglas stated that the trail of oil began before the point when he knew of the fire. Moreover, Case concedes that Pfeiffer was qualified to testify as a mechanical engineer that he believed the hydraulic fluid leak began before the fire started and thus, Pfeiffer's testimony established that possibility. Pfeiffer testified there were several possible ways in which a loose fitting could have been just tight enough to pass pressure tests that the manufacturer might have performed but then could have loosened within a relatively short period of use. Viewed in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, we find that this evidence was sufficient to show that a defect could have existed when the combine left Case's custody and control. Because the evidence supports the jury's verdict, it will not be disturbed on appeal. Judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed. Judgment of the district court is affirmed. ABBOTT and GERNON, JJ., not participating. LARSON, S.J., and BRAZIL, S.J., assigned. [1]