Ford Motor Co. v. Matthews

291 So.2d 169 (1974)

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Ford Motor Co. v. Matthews

Mississippi Supreme Court
291 So.2d 169 (1974)

SC
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Facts

Earnest Matthews bought a tractor manufactured by Ford (defendant). Ford did not warn Matthews of a defect in the tractor’s safety switch. The safety switch was designed to keep the tractor from starting in gear. Without checking that the tractor was out of gear, Matthews started the motor from the ground. The tractor started in gear, and Matthews was run over and killed. The administratrix of Matthews’s estate (plaintiff) brought suit on a theory of strict product liability, claiming that the safety switch was defective. In defense, Ford argued that Matthews had misused the tractor. The trial court found in favor of the administratrix. Ford appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Rodgers, P.J.)

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