This site is a developmental version of Wiki Law School. To go to the production site: www.wikilawschool.org

MacPherson v. Buick: Difference between revisions

From wikilawschool.net. Wiki Law School does not provide legal advice. For educational purposes only.
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 7: Line 7:


In July 1911, MacPherson was driving his car at 8 mi/h when his left rear wheel collapsed. His car spun out of control & he was injured. The cause of the wheel collapse was defective wood. Buick had purchased the wheel from a supplier. Apparently, Buick hadn't inspected the wheel before selling the car to the dealer.
In July 1911, MacPherson was driving his car at 8 mi/h when his left rear wheel collapsed. His car spun out of control & he was injured. The cause of the wheel collapse was defective wood. Buick had purchased the wheel from a supplier. Apparently, Buick hadn't inspected the wheel before selling the car to the dealer.
|procedural_history=MacPherson sued [https://www.buick.com/ Buick], the automobile manufacturer, in a NY state court.
|procedural_history=MacPherson sued [https://www.buick.com/ Buick], the automobile manufacturer, in a NY state court.  
 
MacPherson lost, but the NY Appellate Division reversed the decision.
 
At the 2nd trial, MacPherson won a judgment of $5,000.
|issues=Does the manufacturer of a product owe a '''duty of care''' to anyone other than the initial purchaser?
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|link=https://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/archives/macpherson_buick.htm
|link=https://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/archives/macpherson_buick.htm

Revision as of 18:01, July 3, 2023

MacPherson v. Buick
Court Court of Appeals of New York
Citation
Date decided March 14, 1916

Facts

MacPherson bought his Buick Model 10 car for $900 in 1908 ($30,300 in 2023); the dealer had bought the car directly from Buick.

In July 1911, MacPherson was driving his car at 8 mi/h when his left rear wheel collapsed. His car spun out of control & he was injured. The cause of the wheel collapse was defective wood. Buick had purchased the wheel from a supplier. Apparently, Buick hadn't inspected the wheel before selling the car to the dealer.

Procedural History

MacPherson sued Buick, the automobile manufacturer, in a NY state court.

MacPherson lost, but the NY Appellate Division reversed the decision.

At the 2nd trial, MacPherson won a judgment of $5,000.

Issues

Does the manufacturer of a product owe a duty of care to anyone other than the initial purchaser?

Case Text Links