Opinion ID: 11184
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reeves' Claim Against Dr. Steffee

Text: Finally, we address whether the district court erred in holding Steffee liable as the manufacturer or supplier of an unreasonably dangerous product. Under product liability theories of recovery, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant was the manufacturer or supplier of the defective product.2 See e.g. Halphen v. Johns-Manville Sales Corp., 484 So.2d 110, 113 (La.1986). A manufacturer or supplier is one who places a product on the market or introduces it into the stream of commerce. See CNG Producing Co. v. Columbia Gulf Transmission, 709 F.2d 959 (1983); Heirs of Fruge v. Blood Services, 506 F.2d 841 (5th Cir.1975); Carney v. Marathon Oil Company, 632 F.Supp. 1037 (W.D.La.1986); Restatement (Second) of Torts, § 402A comment f (1965). Cf. La.R.S. 9:2800.53(1) and (3). The facts that Steffee 2 The Louisiana Supreme Court has recognized that professional vendors may also be subject to liability under product liability theories. See e.g., Shortess v. Touro Infirmary, 520 So.2d 389, 391 (La.1988); Rowell v. Carter Mobile Homes, Inc. 500 So.2d 748, 752 (1987); Chappuis v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 358 So.2d 926, 930 (La.1978). In order to qualify as a professional vendor, one must do more than occasionally place a product in the stream of commerce; one must be in the business of selling the product. See Rowell, supra (where a bank which only occasionally sold mobile homes which it was forced to acquire in foreclosures was held not to be a professional vendor); See also Restatement (Second) of Torts, § 402A(1)(a) (1965). 15 invented the metal bone plates and screws and served as chairman of the board of AcroMed do not suffice to make him a manufacturer, supplier, or professional vendor. Steffee invented the bone implant, but he, in his capacity of an individual person, did not place the medical device on the market, introduce it into the stream of commerce, or act as a professional vendor of the product.