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Torts - Fall 2015 Reading Group

MacPherson. v. Buick Motor Co.

Should a manufacturer be liable for harm caused by defective products if the person harmed is not the person whom the manufacturer sold the product to? Defendant sold an automobile to a retail dealer, who then resold it to the plaintiff. While the plaintiff was in the car, it suddenly collapsed, throwing him out of the car and injuring him. One of the wheels was made of defective wood and had crumbled at the time of the accident. Although the defendant had purchased the wheel from another manufacturer, the defect could have been discovered by reasonable inspection.