The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument in John B. Lind v. Menard Inc. and Scotch Corporation on Tuesday, January 15th at 9:30 a.m. at North Central High School in Indianapolis.  A panel of Judge Carr L. Darden, Judge Margret G. Robb, and Judge Cale J. Bradford will hear the case on appeal from Lake Superior Court.

The case stems from injuries Mr. Lind suffered to his eyes, face and chest after he used a drain cleaner manufactured by the Scotch Corporation.  The Court is asked to decide whether the trial court erred in concluding there was no genuine issue of material fact regarding the adequacy of, and Mr. Lind’s disregard for, Scotch’s warnings and directions.  Arguing for the appellant, Mr. Lind, will be Robert M. Schwerd of Hilbrich Cunningham Schwerd Dobosz & Vinovich, LLP in Highland.  Charles C. Hoppe, Jr. of Knight Hoppe Kurnik & Knight, LTD in Schererville will argue for the Scotch Corporation.

This case is the Court of Appeals’ first visit to North Central High School, and the 202nd oral argument heard “on the road” since the Court began regularly hearing oral arguments at venues across the state at its centennial in 2001.  The Court travels to hear cases to better enable Hoosiers to learn about the judicial branch; students may question the judges about the judicial process following the argument.  Sites for “traveling oral arguments” typically include law schools, colleges, high schools, and county courthouses.

The Indiana Court of Appeals is the state’s second-highest court.  It reviews appeals from trial court decisions; a decision of the Indiana Court of Appeals is final unless granted further review by the Indiana Supreme Court.  The majority of appeals filed in Indiana are decided by the Court of Appeals.

The 15 judges on the Court of Appeals issue more than 2,500 written opinions each year, sitting in three-judge panels.  For more information about the Court of Appeals and its “Appeals on Wheels” initiative, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/.