OSIs

They are called OSIs – other similar incidents. Plaintiffs try to get them admitted into evidence in products liability cases to show evidence of defect and knowledge of defect. The incidents must be “substantially similar” and there is (almost) always a fight over what falls within that catergory.

Here is a recent opinion from the Eighth Circuit that upheld the admissibility of OSIs in a products case involving use of a rachet system on a motor vehicle carrier.