Colt Industries Operating Corp. v. Frank W. Murphy Manufacturer, Inc.

OPINION

MOORE, Justice.

This case stems from a wrongful death claim by the estate of Ralph Howard against Colt Industries Operating Corporation (Colt), a compressor manufacturer. Frank Murphy Manufacturer, Inc. (Murphy), which made a component used in Colt’s compressor, was a third party defendant in the underlying claim. Colt negotiated a settlement with the Howard estate which released Murphy, Craig Taylor, Colt’s distributor, and itself from liability. Colt then sought contribution from Murphy, arguing that Murphy was liable on manufacturing and design defect theories. Colt was unsuccessful…