Joseph H. Hart, Jr. v. Mazda Motors of America, Inc., American & Foreign Insurance Co., Intervenor

Fifth Circuit

Joseph H. Hart, Jr. v. Mazda Motors of America, Inc., American & Foreign Insurance Co., Intervenor

521 F.2d 193, 1975 U.S. App. LEXIS 12349

Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit·Decided October 16, 1975·No. 75-2416·Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Hart, an automobile mechanic, was injured when the transmission that he was removing from a Mazda vehicle fell on him. Hooser, a district service manager for defendant Mazda distributor, had requested the removal and was present while Hart was working. Hart sued defendant on three theories: (1) distribution of an unreasonably dangerous product, (2) common law negligence and (3) discovered peril. The jury rejected Hart’s first two theories. The district court refused to submit to the jury requested special findings on the issue of discovered peril. Plaintiff appeals contending that this refusal was error. We affirm.

Under Texas law, in order to sustain a finding of discovered peril, a plaintiff must show, inter alia, that the defendant actually discovered the peril. Gentry v. Southern Pacific Company, Tex.1970, 457 S.W.2d 889, 892; Safeway Stores, Inc. v. White, 1961, 162 Tex. 473, 348 S.W.2d 162, 164.

The record convinces us that a finding of actual discovery could not properly have been made by the jury in this case. Rule 49(a), F.R.Civ.P. There *194 fore, the district court was correct in refusing Hart’s request. Maryland Casualty Co. v. Broadway, 5 Cir. 1940, 110 F.2d 357, 360. See Boeing Company v. Shipman, 5 Cir. 1969, 411 F.2d 365, 374.

Affirmed.

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PER CURIAM:

Hart, an automobile mechanic, was injured when the transmission that he was removing from a Mazda vehicle fell on him. Hooser, a district service manager for defendant Mazda distributor, had requested the removal and was present while Hart was working. Hart sued defendant on three theories: (1) distribution of an unreasonably dangerous product, (2) common law negligence and (3) discovered peril. The jury rejected Hart’s first two theories. The district court refused to submit to the jury requested special findings on the issue of discovered peril. Plaintiff appeals contending that this refusal was error. We affirm.

Under Texas law, in order to sustain a finding of discovered peril, a plaintiff must show, inter alia, that the defendant actually discovered the peril. Gentry v. Southern Pacific Company, Tex.1970, 457 S.W.2d 889, 892; Safeway Stores, Inc. v. White, 1961, 162 Tex. 473, 348 S.W.2d 162, 164.

The record convinces us that a finding of actual discovery could not properly have been made by the jury in this case. Rule 49(a), F.R.Civ.P. There *194 fore, the district court was correct in refusing Hart’s request. Maryland Casualty Co. v. Broadway, 5 Cir. 1940, 110 F.2d 357, 360. See Boeing Company v. Shipman, 5 Cir. 1969, 411 F.2d 365, 374.

Affirmed.

Joseph H. Hart, Jr. v. Mazda Motors of America, Inc., American & Foreign Insurance Co., Intervenor, 521 F.2d 193, 1975 U.S. App. LEXIS 12349 (5th Cir. 1975).

Pincite

521 F.2d 193 (Joseph H. Hart, Jr. v. Mazda Motors of America, Inc., American & Foreign Insurance Co., Intervenor) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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