CONSOL. PIPE & SUPPLY v. Stockham Valves & Fittings

These suits were commenced by Retha Cunningham and Dorothy Thomas, the widows of two men who were killed by the explosion of an underground steam valve while working for Alabama Power Company. Although several defendants were initially named, the suits when consolidated, tried, and submitted to the jury were against Stockham. Valves and Fittings Company, Inc. (Stockham), the valve's manufacturer, Louisiana Valve and Fittings Company, Inc. (Louisiana), an intermediate distributor, and Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company, Inc. (Consolidated), a local distributor. Consolidated cross-claimed…