Watkins v. Ford Motor Co.
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
190 F.3d 1213 (1999)
- Written by Emily Laird, JD
Facts
Brian Watkins, Joseph Washo, Stacy Purcell, and Rachelle Oliver (collectively, the vehicle occupants) (plaintiffs) were the driver and passengers of a 1986 Ford Bronco II that rolled over two and a half times after the driver lost control of the car. Watkins, a passenger, suffered brain injuries that resulted in his death. The driver and other passengers suffered less serious injuries. The vehicle occupants sued Ford Motor Co. (Ford) (defendant), alleging Ford failed to adequately warn of known rollover hazards. Ford filed a motion for summary judgment that alleged the state statute of repose barred the vehicle occupants’ negligence claims. Ford also argued that the vehicle occupants’ strict-liability claim of inadequate warning should fail as a matter of law because a stronger warning of rollover risk still would have not prevented the accident. Ford argued its warning of rollover risks could not have been defective because its inadequacy did not result in the vehicle occupants’ injuries. The district court granted Ford’s motion for summary judgment. The vehicle occupants appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Fay, J.)
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