Gillespie v. Chrysler Motors Corp.

While servicing a United Parcel Service (UPS) van, Phillip J. Gillespie, a mechanic for UPS, injured his back when the hood of the van dropped on his back. Gillespie sued Chrysler Motors Corporation alleging that Chrysler supplied UPS with a defective hood hinge which broke and caused the hood to fall on Gillespie, resulting in his back injuries. The parties tried the case for three weeks before a jury. At the close of all of the evidence, the court directed a verdict in Gillespie’s favor, finding that the hinge was unreasonably dangerous. The case was submitted to the jury on the issue of…