Lopez v. Precision Papers, Inc.

Mar 18, 1986
Versions:67 N.Y.2d 871
492 N.E.2d 1214
501 N.Y.S.2d 798
1986 N.Y. LEXIS 17662

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with costs.

The record presents triable issues of fact concerning whether the forklift, as marketed with an attached but removable overhead safety guard, was "not reasonably safe” (Voss v Black & Decker Mfg. Co., 59 NY2d 102, 108) for the uses intended or reasonably anticipated by the manufacturer (see, Micallef v Miehle Co., 39 NY2d 376, 385-386).

As correctly noted by the Appellate Division in denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment (CPLR 3212), this court’s holding in Robinson v Reed-Prentice Div. (49 NY2d 471) does not compel a different result. In contrast with the detaching of the removable safety guard in this case, Robinson involved "[mjaterial alterations [i.e., cutting a 6-inch by 14-inch access hole in the safety gate of a plastic molding machine] which work[ed] a substantial change in the condition in which the product was sold by destroying the functional utility of a key safety feature” (49 NY2d, at p 481). There is evidence in this record that the forklift was purposefully manufactured to permit its use without the safety guard.

Chief Judge Wachtler and Judges Meyer, Simons, Kaye, Alexander and Hancock, Jr., concur; Judge Titone taking no part.

Order affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum. Question certified answered in the affirmative.