Raymond Handling Concepts Corp. v. Superior Court

In this mandamus proceeding, Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation and the Raymond Corporation (petitioners) ask this court to prohibit dissemination of confidential discovery to counsel in other pending similar litigation. We decline to do so having concluded that the court did not abuse its discretion in the protective order it formulated to protect the discovery.

Procedural History — Facts

Robert Zuelzke (plaintiff and real party in interest) was injured while he was operating a stand-up forklift manufactured by petitioners. He filed suit against petitioners, alleging that his injuries occurred because “the directional/speed control assembly broke, locked in reverse at high speed and propelled the lift backwards out of control.” The complaint sets forth causes of action for strict liability and negligence based upon alleged defects in the design of the forklift and its components as well as in the repair and maintenance of the forklift pursuant to a service agreement.

Petitioners produced confidential documents under an interim agreement with plaintiff made to afford petitioners the opportunity to move for a protective order which would prohibit plaintiff’s counsel…