Caterpillar, Inc. v. Hightower

Caterpillar, Inc. ("Caterpillar"), appeals from a judgment entered on a jury verdict in favor of Jimmie and Corene Hightower in their action against Caterpillar alleging injury as the result of a defective product. We affirm.

On September 28, 1987, Mr. Hightower was operating a Model 518 "skidder" for his employer, Dudley Land and Timber Company ("Dudley").1 The skidder was manufactured in 1975 by Caterpillar: it had no doors or other mechanisms to enclose the sides of the operator's compartment. While operating the skidder in thick, partially felled timber, Mr. Hightower was severely injured…