Haugen v. Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.

Plaintiff, Kenneth K. Haugen, lost an eye when a grinding disc manufactured by defendant, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (hereafter 3M), exploded into three pieces, one of which struck him in the eye. A Pierce County Superior Court jury awarded plaintiff $100,000 for his injuries, and 3M appeals from the judgment entered on that verdict. Although plaintiff’s complaint was based on the theories of negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, and strict liability in tort, the case was tried and submitted to the jury on only the latter theory.

Defendant’s numerous assignments…