Ford Motor Co. v. Matthews
Mississippi Supreme Court
291 So.2d 169 (1974)
Relevant factsFree
Earnest Matthews was killed when he started his Ford (defendant) tractor while standing beside it and the tractor, which was in gear, ran him over; the tractor was equipped with a safety switch specifically designed to prevent starting while in gear. Matthews's estate (plaintiff) sued under strict products liability, alleging the safety switch was defective, and Ford defended on the theory that Matthews had misused the tractor by starting it without checking the gear position. The trial court found for the estate, and Ford appealed.
IssueFree
Whether it is reasonably foreseeable that a tractor owner will start the engine without first ensuring the tractor is not in gear.