Moore v. Ford Motor Co.
Missouri Supreme Court
332 S.W.3d 749 (2011) (en banc)
- Written by Josh Lee, JD
Facts
Jeanne Moore (plaintiff) purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer manufactured by Ford Motor Co. (Ford) (defendant). Moore was six feet tall and weighed approximately 300 pounds. Moore was driving when she was rear-ended at low speed, and her seat collapsed backward. This caused Moore’s head and shoulders to hit the back seat. As a result, Moore fractured a vertebra and became paralyzed. Moore sued Ford, alleging that Ford failed to provide a warning that the driver’s seat would collapse in a rear impact with a driver of Moore’s size and weight. Moore presented evidence that the design of the driver’s seat resulted in a collapse if the vehicle was rear-ended at mild to moderate speeds and the driver was of a similar height and weight to Moore. Moore testified that she would not have purchased the vehicle if she had been warned of this design. The trial court granted a directed verdict for Ford, and Moore eventually lost the case. Moore appealed. After an appellate opinion, the Missouri Supreme Court heard the case.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stith, J.)
Dissent (Price, Jr., C.J.)
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