Accounting/Business Law Terry Williams sustained physical injuries in an acciden
ID: 2445108 • Letter: A
Question
Accounting/Business Law
Terry Williams sustained physical injuries in an accident involving a vehicle driven by Kellie Meagher. At the time of the accident, Meagher was allegedly using a cellular phone furnished by Cingular Wireless. Williams later sued Meagher and Cingular in an Indiana court. In the portion of the complaint pertaining to Cingular, Williams alleged that Cingular was negligent in furnishing a cellular phone to Meagher when it knew, or should have known, that the phone would be used while the user operated a motor vehicle. Cingular filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim on which relief could be granted. After the trial court granted Cingular's motion, Williams appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Was the trial court correct in granting Cingular's motion to dismiss?
Explanation / Answer
Yes the court is correct to grant motion to dismiss to Cingular. The reason is that in case of loss there must be proximate cause and not the remote cause. The company is not directly responsible for the injury and the use of any product depends on buyer and not seller or manufacturer. So, it is not responsibility of the company to assure when to use the phone and when not to use.