2007

Volume 26, No. 7
August

• Dangerously long cord on electric wok

Volume 26, No. 5
June

• Lack of safety braking device on miter saw

• Failure to warn of need to tighten handle on rotary hammer drill

• No exemption from risk-utility test for simple products with open and obvious dangers under Illinois law

• Comparative fault principles apply to participants in production chain of allegedly defective product

2006

Volume 25, No. 10
December

• Plaintiff who witnessed fatal fire could assert claim for bystander emotional distress

• Trial court erred in finding federal preemption of claim where product was misbranded

Volume 25, No. 9
November

• Lack of safety feature to stop riding lawn mower’s blades when it rolls backward

• Plaintiffs satisfied requirements for destructive testing of product component

• Jurisdiction over foreign designer is proper where it profited from local subsidiary’s marketing activities

• Defective design of travel trailer refrigerator’s cooling unit tubing

Volume 25, No. 7
August

• Failure to include photoelectric technology in smoke detector

• Fire origin testimony reliable regardless of whether expert performed each step in recognized method

Volume 25, No. 5
June

• Lack of back check assembly on propane tank valve

Volume 25, No. 4
May

• Lack of passive safety devices on free-standing range

• Unsafe alteration of spring in swivel chair

• Plaintiff injured by exploding spray can raised fact question about adequacy of can’s warning

Volume 25, No. 3
April

• Overly sharp edges on window-unit air conditioner

• Defective design of hook on bungee cord

• Riding mower design permitted rider to back up with blade engaged

• Lack of child-resistant closure on gas can

• Unspecified defect in television set causing set to catch fire

Volume 25, No. 2
March

• Insufficiently thin plastic on backpack fastener

• Defective design of heating pack

Volume 25, No. 1
February

• Defective design of portable propane gas heater

• Inadequate inner liner, outer shell on equestrian helmet

2005

Volume 24, No. 10
December

• Consumer expectations test applies to case involving allegedly defective extension ladder

• Evidence from lighter’s certification tests showing wide variation in child resistance supports jury’s findings

Volume 24, No. 9
November

• Simple-product exception removing cost-benefit analysis from jury did not apply to utility lighter

• Exclusion of testimony regarding condition of defective chair too harsh a sanction for negligent disposal

Volume 24, No. 8
October

• Failure to elevate water heater above floor level

Volume 24, No. 6
July

• Unstable design of halogen lamp causes fire

Volume 24, No. 5
June

• Federal question jurisdiction is inapplicable to state law cell phone radiation hazard claims

• Defective design of special-needs children’s bed

Volume 24, No. 3
April

• Expert could testify despite receiving confidential information during earlier work for defendant

• Danger of lethal harm from ingesting body care product was not open and obvious

• Lack of restraining device for deep-fat fryer

Volume 24, No. 1
February

• Use of underrated compressor relay, relay terminal connections in window air conditioner unit

• Lack of flame-retardant materials in sofa’s polyurethane foam filling

• Inadequate warnings on folding table instructing how to properly lock legs into place

2004

Volume 23, No. 10
December

• Seller could be liable as apparent manufacturer

• Unreasonably dangerous skin lightener product

• Fire investigation expert was qualified to testify that defective coffeemaker caused house fire

• Motorist’s negligence claim against cell phone supplier was properly dismissed

Volume 23, No. 9
November

• Unstable design of folding cafeteria table

Volume 23, No. 8
October

• Defective manufacture of folding chair leading to collapse

• Defective design of chair permitting components to give way under normal use conditions

• Court in lighter case erred in granting summary judgment on warranty, punitive damages claims

• Defective cutoff switch on leaf mulcher