Court Opinion

ID: 9537630
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 07:20:37.845038+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:56:50.237470
License: Public Domain

FROEB, Judge,
concurring in part; dissenting in part:
I concur with the majority decision affirming the trial court judgment as to appellee Coleman Cable and Wire Company. I respectfully disagree that the trial court erred in its judgment in favor of Sears, Roebuck & Company and The Singer Company. I would affirm the entire judgment.
Appellant’s decedent used the electric saw with a non-grounded two-prong extension cord contrary to express instructions and warnings furnished by Sears and Singer. In my opinion, the warnings and instructions made it unmistakably clear what the consequence could be if the saw were used with a two-prong extension cord. A skull and crossbones was not required. I would hold that the warnings were sufficient as a matter of law.
Since it is clear that the saw would not have been energized with an electric current if a grounded extension cord had been used, the saw was not unreasonably dangerous as a matter of law, regardless of whether there was an alternate design available.
Moreover, the extension cord was used with a taped-over cut in the wire which apparently led to the fatal short circuit. Misuse of a product is a defense to recovery under the theory of strict liability. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 402A, comment g. In my opinion, Sears and Singer are not required to foresee that a user will disregard all warnings and instructions and use a non-grounded extension cord. For this reason, I would hold that there is no triable fact question relating to misuse and the defense applies as a matter of law.
I would affirm the judgment.