Hinojasa v. Automatic Elevator Co.

The plaintiff, Humberto Hinojasa, was injured in February 1972 when the overhead door of a freight elevator fell upon him at his place of employment. He filed a two-count complaint in the circuit court of Cook County against the defendant, Automatic Elevator Company (Automatic). Hinojasa voluntarily dismissed the negligence count prior to trial. The trial proceeded solely on the theory of strict liability in tort. The jury returned a verdict in the plaintiff’s favor on which judgment was entered. The defendant appeals from that judgment.

The dispositive issue in this case concerns the legal…