Janis v. Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc.

**What Happened:** This case involved a tragic incident where people died in a plane crash allegedly caused by a defective aircraft engine made by Pratt & Whitney Canada. The victims' families sued the engine manufacturer, claiming the company was negligent and should be held strictly liable for the deaths. However, the crash occurred in an area where FARC rebels (a Colombian militant group) were active, and their criminal activities played a role in the incident. **What the Court Decided:** The court ruled in favor of Pratt & Whitney Canada and dismissed the lawsuit. While the judge acknowledged that the engine manufacturer had a duty to make safe products, the court found that the rebels' criminal actions were an "intervening cause" that broke the legal connection between any potential engine defect and the deaths. Essentially, the court determined that the criminal activity, not the alleged engine problems, was the primary cause of the tragedy. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This ruling shows that even when companies have safety obligations, courts may not hold them liable if unrelated criminal acts contribute to accidents. Workers should understand that proving employer liability can be complex when multiple factors cause workplace injuries or deaths.