Breault v. Ford Motor Company

Mathilda Breault (the plaintiff) was injured while a passenger in a motor vehicle manufactured by the defendant Ford Motor Company (Ford). Ford concedes that there was sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the plaintiff was injured due to negligence in the manufacture of the vehicle. Ford claims, however, that the judge improperly excluded a question put to the plaintiff asking whether she had a seat belt on at the time of the accident. Ford’s answer, in addition to a general denial, alleged the affirmative defences of contributory fault and assumption of the risk.

On October 10, 1967,…