Court Opinion

ID: 9767052
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 05:07:23.566434+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:27.875097
License: Public Domain

ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
On rehearing, Lucas argues that our remand of the cause for review of the factual sufficiency of the evidence is unnecessary because Everman is liable as a matter of law based on the theory of strict liability. Although the court of appeals found that Lucas had “(n)o action under principles of strict liability,” we failed to address the issue in our original opinion.
In order to recover under a theory of strict liability a plaintiff must establish “(1) the defective and unreasonably dangerous condition of the defendant’s product and (2) a causal connection between such condition and the plaintiff’s injuries or damages.” Armstrong Rubber Company v. Urquidez, 570 S.W.2d 374, 376 (Tex.1978). A product may be proven to be defective if it is unreasonably dangerous in construction, or it is unreasonably dangerous as designed, or it is unreasonably dangerous because adequate warnings or instructions are not provided. Miller v. Bock Laundry Machine Company, 568 S.W.2d 648, 650 (Tex.1977); Carter v. Mas*378sey-Ferguson, Inc., 716 F.2d 344, 346 n. 1 (5th Cir.1983).
Lucas’ theory is that a manufacturing defect caused the beam to be unreasonably dangerous in construction. The beam in question was manufactured with one-inch inserts rather than the one and one-quarter inch inserts specified in the plans. Lucas contends that this one-quarter inch deviation rendered the beam defective and unreasonably dangerous within the meaning of § 402A, Restatement (Second) of Torts (1965).
The court of appeals found the beam was not defective and overruled Lucas’ “strict liability” cross-point. The court of appeals properly disposed of this cross-point. There is no evidence that the beam’s failure to conform to original specifications caused it to be unreasonably dangerous in construction. There is no evidence that the beam was structurally unsound, or that it could not be lifted safely as manufactured.
Lucas’ motion for rehearing is overruled.
HILL, C.J., and GONZALEZ, J., not sitting.