Sandoval v. Superior Court

Opinion

FRANSON, Acting P. J.

Introduction

Two pretrial questions are presented in this products liability case alleging a design defect in the defendant manufacturer’s product: (1) whether a “final” judgment was entered in a prior action involving the same defendant and another plaintiff so as to permit the application of the collateral estoppel doctrine? and (2) assuming the first question is answered in the affirmative, whether the collateral estoppel doctrine should be applied to preclude the defendant from relitigating the design defect issue in the present action? The prior action was the…