Teacher Injured By Corkscrew Wins Claim
The Age
Wednesday August 17, 1994
A man who injured himself while uncorking a bottle has received $14,000 in an out-court settlement, the first case involving new federal laws covering product liability.
Mr Trevor Hoare, of the La Trobe Valley, had issued a Federal Court application claiming damages from CPS Housewares Pty Ltd, the supplier of the corkscrew.
Mr Hoare, a computer teacher, claimed he was injured when the hand- held `Aid-De-Chef' corkscrew broke while he was uncorking a bottle.
The corkscrew's steel shaft had penetrated his finger and tore a nerve.
Mr Hoare's solicitor, Mr Michael McGarvie, a partner with Holding Redlich, said the case was the first heard under new laws which allow injured people to sue over defective products without proof of negligence.
© 1994 The Age
