Barris v. Bob's Drag Chutes & Safety Equipment, Inc.

OPINION OF THE COURT

JAMES HUNTER, III, Circuit Judge.

INTRODUCTION

Barbara Ellen Barris brought this diversity action against the manufacturer and retailer of a shoulder harness, alleging that her husband died as a result of a defect in the harness he was wearing when his sprint car flipped during a collision. After the plaintiff’s case-in-chief, the district court directed a verdict for defendant, Bob’s Drag Chutes and Safety Equipment, Inc. (“Bob’s”), based on the court’s conclusion that plaintiff had failed to present a prima facie “crashworthiness” case.1 We have *97concluded that the district…