Robinson v. Reed-Prentice Division of Package Machinery Co.

Seventeen-year-old Gerald Robinson (plaintiff) worked as a plastic-injection molding machine operator for Plastic Jewel Parts Co. (Plastic Jewel) (defendant). The machine’s mold had two halves. Using hydraulic pressure, one moved horizontally to open and close the mold while the other remained stationary. Melted plastic was forced into the mold. After the plastic hardened, the upper half of the mold moved to allow removal of the final product. When Reed-Prentice Division of Package Machinery Company (Reed-Prentice) (defendant) sold the $28,000 machine to Plastic Jewel, it had a metal safety gate that complied with state regulations. The gate made it impossible to access the mold while the machine was operating. Plastic Jewel needed to mold beads directly onto a continuous nylon cord. Plastic Jewel cut a 6x14 inch hole into the Plexiglas portion of the gate to allow the nylon cord to be continuously fed through the machine. After passing through the hole, Robinson’s hand was caught in the mold, and he was severely injured. Prior to the sale of the machine, Reed-Prentice representatives observed Plastic Jewel using identical Reed-Prentice machines with holes cut in the gates. Plastic Jewel requested that Reed-Prentice design a safety gate that would meet its needs. A letter from Reed-Prentice to Plastic Jewel confirmed it knew of the modifications. Robinson brought claims in strict products liability and negligence against Reed-Prentice, which impleaded third-party defendant Plastic Jewel. Robinson’s expert testified Reed-Prentice could have made inexpensive modifications to the safety gate that would have met Plastic Jewel’s needs. A jury awarded a large verdict for Robinson, apportioning 40 percent of the liability to Reed-Prentice and 60 percent to Plastic Jewel. On appeal, Robinson stipulated to a reduced verdict to avoid a new trial on the issue of damages. Reed-Prentice and Plastic Jewel appealed.