Black & Decker (U.S.), Inc. v. Essex Group, Inc.

OPINION

A jury found both appellant Black & Decker (U.S.), Inc. and respondent Essex Group, Inc. liable under a strict products liability theory for personal injuries suffered by Willard Larson when he attempted to plug in an electric drill manufactured by Black & Decker. Essex manufactured and supplied a defective plug which Black & Decker incorporated into the drill during the assembly process. The jury’s verdict apportioned seventy-five percent of the fault to Essex and twenty-five percent of the fault to Black & Decker, without specifically addressing a cross-claim for indemnity or…