General Motors Corp. v. Van Marter

This is an appeal from a judgment entered on a jury verdict awarding $251,000 to Dr. Neal Van Marter, Mrs. Van Marter, and Auto Owners Insurance Company on a products liability claim. We affirm.

The facts are as follows: Dr. and Mrs. Van Marter owned a 1978 Oldsmobile Regency automobile, which had been purchased from a General Motors dealer in February of 1978. The car was parked in the Van Marters' carport on 30 May 1978 when their carport and home caught fire, resulting in extensive damage to the home and its contents.

The Van Marters filed suit against General Motors Corporation and others,…