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Torts Keyed to Prosser
Ford Motor Co. v. Matthews
Citation:
291 So.2d 169Only StudyBuddy Pro offers the complete Case Brief Anatomy*
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- The Brief Prologue provides necessary case brief introductory information and includes:
- Topic: Identifies the topic of law and where this case fits within your course outline.
- Parties: Identifies the cast of characters involved in the case.
- Procedural Posture & History: Shares the case history with how lower courts have ruled on the matter.
- Case Key Terms, Acts, Doctrines, etc.: A case specific Legal Term Dictionary.
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- The Case Brief is the complete case summarized and authored in the traditional Law School I.R.A.C. format. The Pro case brief includes:
- Brief Facts: A Synopsis of the Facts of the case.
- Rule of Law: Identifies the Legal Principle the Court used in deciding the case.
- Facts: What are the factual circumstances that gave rise to the civil or criminal case? What is the relationship of the Parties that are involved in the case. Review the Facts of this case here:
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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