Hagan v. Gemstate Manufacturing, Inc.

Plaintiff, the personal representative of the estate of the decedent, Kenneth S. Hagan (Hagan), brought this damages action against defendant Gemstate Manufacturing, Inc. (defendant) alleging common-law negligence and products liability. The action followed Hagan’s death in a collision with the rear-end of a tiltbed trailer that defendant had manufactured. A jury found defendant not liable. The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded to the trial court. Hagan v. Gemstate Manufacturing, Inc., 148 Or App 192, 939 P2d 141 (1997). We allowed review and affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals.

Th…