Rozier v. Ford Motor Co.

573 F.2d 1332 (5th Cir. 1978)

Facts

Rozier's (P) husband died when his 1969 Ford Galaxy 500 was struck from behind by another car, the fuel tank exploded, and he was severely burned. P sued Ford (D) and won a jury verdict. Ten months later P moved for a new trial on the ground that D had failed to disclose a document covered by P's interrogatories and based upon the following facts. The trial court had ordered D to produce a cost-benefit analyses and written reports or analysis which were applicable to the 1969 Ford Galaxy 500. D denied that any such documents existed, but it was later discovered that a relevant document, the 1971 Trend Cost Estimate, had been located by D one week prior to trial but had never been acknowledged or produced. P's motion for a new trial was denied, and P appealed.