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Escola v. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Fresno

Supreme Court of California
150 P.2d 436 (Cal. 1944)

Facts

Escola (plaintiff) worked as a waitress in a restaurant. One day, she was placing bottles of Coca-Cola that had been delivered thirty-six hours earlier in the restaurant’s refrigerator. The bottles were filled by Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Fresno (Coca-Cola) (defendant). As Escola was handling the fourth bottle, it exploded in her hand and caused her severe injuries. Escola brought suit against Coca-Cola on the ground that the company was negligent in allowing excessive pressure or gas to build up in the bottle, or using defectively-manufactured bottles which were dangerous and likely to explode.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Gibson, J.)

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Concurrence (Traynor, J.)

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