Court Opinion

ID: 9580901
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:10:03.135033+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:36:35.425504
License: Public Domain

SACKETT, Judge
(dissenting).
I respectfully dissent. This case presents an extremely close case of whether there is substantial evidence to support the jury’s finding of fault on the part of John Deere.
Simply put, I see this case as being one where an experienced machinery mechanic put his hand in an area close to a rotating fan on an operating combine. There are certain very obvious dangers involved with operating equipment. I agree with the defendant that there is no evidence it breached a duty in not telling plaintiff to keep his hand away from a rotating fan, or that the failure to so warn rendered the combine dangerous. There is no need to warn as to what is obvious. See Nichols v. Westfield Indus., 380 N.W.2d 392, 401 (Iowa 1985). Where risks are obvious there is no need for a warning. See Strong v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours Co., 667 F.2d 682, 687-88 (8th Cir.1981); McIntyre v. Everest & Jennings, Inc., 575 F.2d 155, 159 (8th Cir.1978).
I would reverse and sustain defendant’s motion for directed verdict.