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Torts Keyed to Prosser
Ford Motor Co. v. Matthews
Citation:
291 So.2d 169Facts
On the day of the fateful accident, Earnest Matthews (plaintiff-appellee) was allegedly standing beside his tractor while he started it in gear. The tractor was equipped with a starter safety switch, which was designed to prevent the tractor from being started in gear. The tractor ran over Matthews, who was dragged underneath a disc attachment. Matthews was killed as a result. The administratrix of his estate sued the manufacturer, Ford Motor Company (“Ford”) (defendant-appellant). Ford argued that Matthews’ act of starting the tractor in gear was a misuse of the product. Ford further argued that Matthews’ misuse of the tractor barred his recovery. The trial judge found for the administratrix of Matthews’ estate in the amount of $74,272.65. Ford appealed to the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
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