Message from discussion Whacko Products Liability Cases

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From: t...@ellis.uchicago.edu (Ted Frank)
Newsgroups: misc.legal,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Whacko Products Liability Cases
Message-ID: <1992Jan16.004836.2633@midway.uchicago.edu>
Date: 16 Jan 92 00:48:36 GMT
Article-I.D.: midway.1992Jan16.004836.2633
References: <jcn.695434272@keckiris> <1992Jan15.023610.24076@midway.uchicago.edu> <BZS.92Jan15171602@world.std.com>
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b...@world.std.com (Barry Shein) writes:
>Oh, people are so fascinated with these outside, whacko cases that may
>or may not have happened but always appeal to a certain moral
>indignation.
>
Which makes a nice lead-in to...

I did some research on some "true" cases put forward by people
to demonstrate the products liability had gone out of control
on a "major legal database." ;)

1. Story of lawsuit against lawn mower company for injury to foot
   incurred while trimming hedges.

   No cases of this nature found.

2. Story of lawsuit against ladder manufacturer for fall incurred
   when ladder slipped in barn after being placed in horse excrement.

   A search of all cases involving falls from ladders in barns and
   farms found no such case reported.  Only case mentioning the words
   "ladder" and "feces" was a prison tort case which combined several
   different actions.

3. Motorcyclist sues manufacturer for not warning him to wear helmet.

   There was a similar case, Shaffer v AMF, 842 F.2d 893, where the
   plaintiff sued the manufacturer for "misleading" advertising making
   him think that cycling was completely safe.
   The case was ruled for defendant on summary judgment.  (no trial)
   Decision was upheld on appeal in a 3-0 ruling, with one judge writing a 
   concurring opinion calling the appeal frivolous.

4. NFL player sues helmet manufacturer.

   There are no recorded cases of National Football League players
   suing over a defective football helmet.
-- 
Ted Frank          + "We conclude the authorites cited above and expert test-
1307 E 60 St, #109 +  imony likewise establish that Texas Hold'em falls within
U o' C Law Skool   +  a separate category of cardgames known as spit-in-the-
Chi, IL 60637      +  ocean." Tibbetts v. Van de Kamp, 222 Cal. App. 3d 389