Kessler v. National Presto Industries, Inc.
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
1995 WL 871156 (1995)
Kessler (plaintiff) was injured when a pressure cooker manufactured by Presto (defendant) exploded at a friend's house; she signed a Release of All Claims releasing her friend and "all other persons, corporations, firms, associations, or partnerships" from claims arising from her injuries, in exchange for $750 from her friend's homeowner's insurer. Kessler then sued Presto for products liability, and Presto moved for summary judgment based on the release, arguing it was a third-party beneficiary of the broad release language.
Whether consideration for a contract will be considered adequate as long as it is not so grossly inadequate as to shock the conscience of the court.