Esco Oil & Gas, Inc. v. Sooner Pipe & Supply Corp.

OPINION

O’CONNOR, Justice.

The most significant issue in this case is whether the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur applies when a plaintiff sues multiple defendants claiming the negligence of one of them caused the plaintiff’s injury. We hold that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur does not apply when one of multiple defendants may be responsible for the injury, independent of the other defendants.

Esco Oil & Gas, Inc., plaintiff below, appeals the granting of summary judgment for the defendants. We reverse.

Facts

In 1988, defendant Sooner Pipe & Supply Coip. (Sooner Supply) bought L-80 low-nickel…