Angelus Associates Corp. v. Neonex Leisure Products, Inc.

Opinion

CROSBY, J.

May a nonsettling defendant retailer in a products liability action pursue a cross-complaint for total equitable indemnity against the defendant manufacturer despite the latter’s good faith settlement with the plaintiff (Code Civ. Proc., § 877.6)? Yes.

I

Larry Wilkerson and Anthony Hewitson were injured in a motor home explosion in 1977, allegedly caused by a propane gas leak in a defective heating unit. They sued numerous defendants, including the manufacturer of the vehicle, Neonex Leisure Products, Inc.; the manufacturer of the heating unit, Essex Group, Inc.; the supplier…