Mercer v. Pittway Corp.

McGIVERIN, Chief Justice.

Numerous issues are presented in this product liability case involving the alleged failure of a smoke detector to alarm to a fire in a home. One child died and another was severely burned as a result of the fire. In an action brought by the parents of the children against the manufacturer of the smoke detector, a jury awarded substantial compensatory and punitive damages. Defendants, the manufacturers of the smoke detector, appeal, contending the district court committed several reversible errors which include: (1) fading to grant defendants’ motion for judgment…