Hoch
Hoch v. Allied-Signal, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
Werdegar, J.
Sharon J. Hoch (decedent) was killed when she was ejected from her 1987 Ford Bronco II, which was equipped with seat belts made by Allied-Signal, IncVBendix Safety Restraints Division (Allied-Signal), during a single-vehicle accident. Her parents, Norma and Carl J. Hoch, sued Ford Motor Company (Ford), Allied-Signal and others for wrongful death, alleging negligence and strict product liability; in addition, Carl J. Hoch, as special administrator of his daughter’s estate, sought punitive damages in a survival action.
Plaintiffs went to trial against Allied-Signal after settling with Ford and other defendants. At the close of plaintiffs’ case, the trial court granted nonsuit on the issue of punitive damages, finding insufficient evidence Allied-Signal had consciously disregarded decedent’s rights. Carl Hoch, as special administrator, seeks review of the nonsuit in his appeal.
The jury, by special verdict, found decedent was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident, the buckle design was defective, and Allied-Signal was negligent. The jury assigned comparative fault 35 percent to Allied-Signal, 45 percent to Ford, and 20 percent to decedent. The total damages,…