Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. v. Glyn-Jones

in which PHILLIPS, Chief Justice, and HIGHTOWER, DOGGETT, CORNYN and SPECTOR, Justices, join.

In this case we consider whether Texas Revised Civil Statute article 6701d, section 107C(j) precludes a plaintiff’s cause of action against a manufacturer for injuries caused by a defective seat belt and shoulder harness system. We hold the provision, which prohibits evidence of the use or nonuse of a seat belt in a civil trial, was not intended to and does not apply to protect a seat belt manufacturer from liability for defective restraint systems.

Marilyn Glyn-Jones was injured when her 1982 Ford…