Scoby v. Vulcan-Hart Corp.

On October 14, 1986, plaintiff Phillip Scoby filed a complaint in the circuit court of Champaign County against defendant Vulcan-Hart Corporation seeking damages for personal injuries. As is before us, plaintiff’s complaint sounded in the tort of strict liability for defective product. He alleged he was injured when he was working in a restaurant kitchen, fell, and his arm became submerged in hot oil contained in an open deep-fat fryer manufactured by defendant.

On January 9, 1989, the day the case was originally set for trial, defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, which was granted…