Reidelberger v. Highland Body Shop, Inc.

This appeal concerns the propriety of the action of the circuit court of Madison County in granting plaintiff’s (Bertha Reidelberger) motion for a new trial. The jury, in this products liability case, returned a verdict in favor of the defendant, Highland Body Shop, Inc. The judge granted the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial. The appellate court, with one judge dissenting, reversed the circuit court. (79 Ill. App. 3d 1138.) We granted leave to appeal under our Rule 315. 73 Ill. 2d R. 315.

The plaintiff’s 17-year-old son, Terry Reidelberger, was killed in a single-car accident when the…