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Judgments - Res Judicata - Limitation Of California Doctrine Of Collateral Estoppel In Multiple Claimant Cases, Sidney B. Hopps

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs were injured when their car was struck by defendant. They commenced separate negligence actions, which were consolidated for trial. These actions resulted in a judgment for plaintiff son, but judgments were entered against the plaintiffs mother and father. These parties were granted a new trial, with no limitation upon the issues to be tried. On the second trial the parents asserted the son's judgment, which had become final and been satisfied, as conclusively establishing defendant's negligence. The trial court ruled against them and submitted the issue of defendant's negligence to the jury. On appeal by the parents, held, …