Hart-Albin Co. v. McLees Inc.

Plaintiffs sued defendant Levitón Manufacturing Co., Inc., in strict liability, claiming an electrical extension cord connector manufactured by Levitón caused a fire in the Hart-Albin store in downtown Billings, Montana. A jury in the District Court for the Thirteenth Judicial District, Yellowstone County, apportioned fault 40 percent to Levitón and 60 percent to plaintiffs, and the court entered judgment for Levitón. We reverse and remand for retrial on limited issues relating to damages.

The dispositive issues are:

1. Did the District Court err in instructing the jury on Leviton’s misuse…