Garland MELTON, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. DEERE & COMPANY, Defendant-Appellee

Through the exercise of our diversity jurisdiction, federal courts have interpreted Mississippi strict products liability law in a manner that is not justified either by Mississippi state court precedents or generally accepted strict products liability doctrine. These federal decisions lead the majority to uphold the district court’s conclusion that the danger presented by the combine auger in which Garland Melton’s arm was injured was open and obvious and that this finding warranted entry of a directed verdict. I disagree with the circuit precedents on which the majority relies and with the…