Lavelock v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

MARY R. RUSSELL, Judge.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. (“Cooper Tire”) appeals the judgment entered following a settlement agreement it reached with Rodger and Thera Oleta La-velock (“Customers”) in a products liability lawsuit. This Court, on its own motion, transferred this appeal from the court of appeals prior to opinion. 1 Mo. Const, art. V, sec. 10. The judgment, as modified, is affirmed.

I. Background

Cooper Tire and Customers resolved their lawsuit by entering into a settlement agreement after much negotiation. Prior to the settlement, the court had entered a protective order to ensure the…