Martinez v. Pfizer Laboratories Division

Plaintiff, Octabio Martinez (a minor represented by guardian Carolyn Martinez), appeals orders of the circuit court of Cook County compelling the production of certain documents and dismissing his claims against defendant Pfizer Laboratories for failing to comply with those discovery orders. For the reasons which follow, we reverse the judgment of the circuit court and remand for further proceedings.

The record on appeal discloses the following. In 1981, a complaint was filed on plaintiff’s behalf which alleged a product liability claim against defendant. The complaint alleged that plaintiff…