Potter v. Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co.
Connecticut Supreme Court
694 A.2d 1319 (1997)
Relevant factsFree
Workers (plaintiffs) injured from long-term use of pneumatic hand tools sued the manufacturers Chicago Pneumatic and Dresser (defendants) for defective design, and the jury found the tools unreasonably dangerous and ruled for the workers; the manufacturers appealed, arguing the workers were required to prove a reasonable alternative design existed and failed to do so.
IssueFree
Whether a manufacturer's liability for a product's design defects depends on whether the defect renders the product dangerous to a greater extent than would be contemplated by an ordinary consumer purchasing it.