Ames v. Sears, Roebuck & Co.

In this products liability action,1 the defendant appeals from the judgment rendered by the trial court following a jury verdict for the plaintiff.2 Certain facts presented to the jury are not disputed by either party. The plaintiff, a fourteen year old girl, was operating a riding lawnmower, which had been sold by the defendant, at the home of relatives when she was injured. She had often operated the lawnmower while staying with her relatives and had been instructed in its use and operation by them. While making a turn on a blacktop driveway, the plaintiff was distracted and drove the…