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Woodin v. J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

629 A.2d 974 (1993)

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Woodin v. J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

Pennsylvania Superior Court
629 A.2d 974 (1993)

Facts

Robert and Alice Woodin (plaintiffs) purchased a freezer from J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (defendant) that was manufactured by White Consolidated Industries, Inc. (defendant). The freezer worked continuously for more than eight years before an alleged defect in the power cord started a fire in their home. The Woodins sued J.C. Penney under a product-liability theory to recover damages caused by the fire. J.C. Penney joined White as an additional defendant. Richard Brugger, a professional engineer, provided expert testimony that the power cord was not adequate. However, he was unable to identify any defect in the Woodins’ damaged power cord. The Woodins testified that they never observed wear or deterioration of the power cord. A jury returned a verdict in favor of the Woodins. However, the trial court set aside the jury verdict and entered judgment notwithstanding the verdict in favor of J.C. Penney and White. The trial court overruled the jury’s verdict because there was no evidence identifying a defect in the freezer’s power cord, which meant the jury’s verdict was based on nothing but speculation. The Woodins appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Wieand, J.)

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