City of Franklin v. Badger Ford Truck Sales, Inc.
Supreme Court of Wisconsin
207 N.W.2d 866 (1973)
Relevant factsFree
The City of Franklin (plaintiff) bought a fire truck from Badger Ford Truck Sales (defendant); Ford (defendant) assembled the truck's wheel and chassis, and Gunite (defendant) manufactured the wheels. A defective wheel caused the truck to tip over and caused damage. Franklin sued Badger, Ford, and Gunite on strict products liability; Ford and Gunite argued that because they made only component parts, not the finished fire truck, they should escape strict liability.
IssueFree
Whether strict liability applies to the manufacturer and supplier of a defective component part when the component was incorporated into a larger product without change and the defect in the component caused the injury.