Meyerhoff v. Michelin Tire Corp.

Kevin Meyerhoff was killed when a Michelin truck tire exploded while he was changing it after driving on it in a substantially deflated condition. His parents (plaintiffs) sued Michelin Tire Corporation (defendant) for negligent failure to warn of the danger of changing a tire after driving underinflated. Their expert, Wells, proposed a specific warning in yellow lettering on the tire's sidewall but could not testify to the feasibility of yellow lettering, and on cross-examination admitted other manufacturers used only black-lettered warnings, which he considered inadequate but 'better than nothing.' Wells also conceded his proposed warning omitted other tire hazards, though he maintained only hidden dangers needed to be warned against. The jury found Michelin 11 percent at fault, and Michelin moved for judgment as a matter of law.