Court Opinion

ID: 9583381
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:38:06.783796+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:38:59.529787
License: Public Domain

Gregory, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. The majority relies on Center Chemical Co. v. Parzini, 234 Ga. 868, 869 (218 SE2d 580) (1975), where it was held that “[a] product is not in a defective condition when it is safe for normal handling and consumption.” The majority then held “. . . sailing the boat into a power line is ‘abnormal handling’ and, under *203Parzini, can yield no cause of action.”
Decided February 8, 1985 —
Rehearing denied March 28, 1985.
Smith & Johnson, Truett Smith, for appellant.
Lokey & Bowden, Glenn Frick, Totsy Nichols, McClure, Ramsey & Dickerson, John A. Dickerson, for appellee.
Ben B. Mills, Jr., Gene Mac Winburn, Charles Ashman, Billy Moore, Paul Bennett, Foy R. Devine, J. Fred Jones, amici curiae.
Obviously no reasonable person would déliberately sail a boat into a power line knowing the danger of electricity. But experience teaches that power lines are a common feature on many lakes where sailing takes place. This record reflects Coast Catamaran had knowledge of previous incidents where its sail boats had contacted power lines resulting in injury. There is overwhelming probability such incidents will continue to occur. Sailors will bring their craft to lakes crossed by power lines. Some will hot appreciate the danger and allow contact with power lines to take place. Others will be tossed about by sudden wind currents and thrown into power lines. Some will turn to avoid colliding with other boats and objects and contact power lines. There will be more injuries and deaths. Under the circumstances I believe it to be a jury question whether a mast which lacks grounding or insulation constitutes a defective design.
I would reverse.