Hense v. G.D. Searle & Co.

NEUMAN, Justice.

This appeal and cross-appeal arise out of a products liability action brought against the manufacturer of an intrauterine contraception device. The controversy centers on the parties’ dispute over the method by which plaintiff should conduct discovery of the corporate defendant’s 750,000 product-related documents. The wrangling has resulted in six continuances of trial over the six-year life of the litigation.

When plaintiff’s request for a seventh continuance was denied on the eve of trial, she invited the court to reconsider its earlier order denying summary judgment for the…