Nguyen v. Johnson MacHine & Press Corp.

In 1978, the hands of plaintiff, Manh Hung Nguyen, were severed by a punch press manufactured by Bontrager Corporation. Bontrager had manufactured the punch press in 1960 and had sold it to plaintiff’s employer in 1962.

Following his injury, plaintiff brought this action in the circuit court of Cook County against numerous defendants seeking damages based on strict liability in tort. Two of the defendants, Amsted Industries, Inc., and South Bend Lathe, Inc., filed motions for summary judgment which were granted by the trial court. The court found no just reason to delay enforcement or appeal…