Ostendorf v. International Harvester Co.

Junior C. Ostendorf was injured by fire on October 26, 1973, while operating an International Harvester model 806 tractor. The fire began when the fuel tank filler cap allegedly “blew off” under pressure, causing gasoline to gush out of the tank and ignite. Junior and his wife, Betty Ostendorf, filed suit against International Harvester and Joseph Brewer, owner of the tractor, on May 2, 1974, in the circuit court of Champaign County. Counts II and III of the multicount complaint were based upon strict products liability. They alleged that the design and manufacture of the gas tank and gas cap…