Product Liability – Negligence

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WI Court of Appeals – District IV

Case Name: Dale Ryant v. Summit Commercial Fitness, Inc., et al.,

Case No.: 2020AP1281

Officials: Blanchard, P.J., Fitzpatrick, and Graham, JJ.

Focus: Product Liability – Negligence

Dale Ryant was injured while using exercise equipment in the fitness room in the apartment building where he was living. Ryant brought negligence and strict products liability claims in the La Crosse County Circuit Court against Summit Commercial Fitness, the company that sold the exercise equipment to the apartment building manager. Summit moved for summary judgment on both claims, and the circuit court granted the motion. Ryant appeals the court’s summary judgment decisions regarding his negligence and strict liability claims.

We affirm the rulings of the circuit court. First, Ryant’s products liability claim fails because Ryant fails to adequately support his argument challenging the circuit court ruling in briefing in this court. Second, Ryant’s negligence claim fails because public policy considerations dictate that Summit should not be held liable for Ryant’s injuries

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Derek A Hawkins is Corporate Counsel, at Salesforce.