Dreisonstok v. Volkswagenwerk, A.G.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
489 F.2d 1066 (1975)
- Written by Emily Laird, JD
Facts
Catherine Dreisonstok (plaintiff) sued Volkswagen (defendant) for injuries Catherine’s young daughter, Terri Lee Dreisonstok, sustained as a passenger in a microbus crash. Dreisonstok claimed her daughter’s injuries were more severe because of the design of the microbus, which placed the engine in the back of the vehicle to maximize passenger and cargo space. Dreisonstok claimed Volkswagen could foresee a crash and that the design of the microbus would result in severe injuries due to the proximity of the front seats to the front of the vehicle. Dreisonstok argued her daughter would have been better protected in a more crashworthy standard passenger car. In a bench trial, the district court determined that Volkswagen defectively designed the vehicle and entered judgment in favor of Dreisonstok. Volkswagen appealed, arguing its product’s design was necessary and reasonably calculated for the purposes of the microbus.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Russell, J.)
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