Court Opinion

ID: 9448245
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-03 23:27:05.731272+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:31:20.445846
License: Public Domain

ENOCH, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
Regretfully, I dissent. It seems to me that in applying, to this case, the rule established in MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co. (1916), 217 N.Y. 382, 111 N.E. 1050, L.R.A.1916F, 696 the majority have unduly extended that rule. In MacPherson, Judge Cardozo stated (111 N.E. at page 1053):
“ * * -* if the nature of a thing is such that it is reasonably certain to place life and limb in peril when negligently made, it is then a thing of danger. Its nature gives warning of the consequences to be expected. If to the element of danger there is added knowledge that the thing will be used by persons other than the purchaser, and used without new tests, then, irrespective of contract, the manufacturer of this thing of danger is under a duty to make it carefully. That is as far as we are required to go for the decision of this case. There must be knowledge of a danger, not merely possible, but probable. It is possible to use almost anything in a way that will make it dangerous if defective. That is not enough to charge the manufacturer with a duty independent of his contract.”
In Cohen v. Brockway Motor Truck Corporation, 240 App.Div. 18, 268 N.Y.S. 545 (1934) the majority of the court was unwilling to extend the MacPherson rule to cover a defective truck door handle which gave way, causing a passenger to fall through the suddenly opened door and under the truck.
In my opinion, plaintiff in the matter before us has not stated facts which bring his case within the scope of MacPherson. I would affirm the order of the District Court.