Shirley v. Drackett Products Co.

This is a products liability case in which the plaintiff claimed that upon using a toilet bowl cleanser called “Vanish” she suffered severe and permanent respiratory injuries from the inhalation of harmful fumes. The complaint alleges negligence and breach of warranty. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in the amount of $100,000.

On December 12, 1961, plaintiff, a reasonably healthy 56-year-old woman, prompted by advertising, purchased a can of Vanish from a local store. At approximately 11 o’clock that night she decided to clean the toilet bowl in her apartment. In…