9: Products Liability
- Page ID
- 11152
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- How products-liability law allocates the costs of a consumer society
- How warranty theory works in products liability, and what its limitations are
- How negligence theory works, and what its problems are
- How strict liability theory works, and what its limitations are
- What efforts are made to reform products-liability law, and why
In previous chapters, we discussed remedies generally. In this chapter, we focus specifically on remedies available when a defective product causes personal injury or other damages. Products liability describes a type of claim, not a separate theory of liability. Products liability has strong emotional overtones—ranging from the prolitigation position of consumer advocates to the conservative perspective of the manufacturers.
- 9.1: Why Products-Liability Law Is Important
- This page examines the evolution of products-liability law, shifting from caveat emptor to holding manufacturers accountable for safety. It highlights the courts' role in addressing consumer culture costs, using historical examples like Upton Sinclair's meatpacking exposé. The text notes ongoing product safety challenges, recalls, and legal theories such as warranty, negligence, and strict liability.
- 9.2: Warranties
- This page discusses types of warranties under the UCC and Magnuson-Moss Act, including express and implied warranties like merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. It addresses challenges in asserting warranty claims, such as timely notice and proof of sale, and mentions how sellers can exclude warranties. The text also explores complexities in product liability cases, highlighting privity issues and legal defenses that complicate claims.
- 9.3: Negligence
- This page discusses the role of negligence in products-liability lawsuits, highlighting its usefulness for design defects and warnings. While it allows claims without privity, proving negligence is complicated by defenses like contributory negligence, assumption of risk, and preemption due to federal standards. Overall, negligence is a potential cause of action, but various challenges can impede plaintiffs.
- 9.4: Strict Liability in Tort
- This page summarizes the concept of strict products liability, which emphasizes accountability for manufacturers selling defective products that cause harm, regardless of due care. Key elements include product defects, danger levels, and allowing claims from third parties without privity. Limitations exist such as assumptions of risk and restrictions on economic loss recovery.
- 9.5: Tort Reform
- This page explores the debate on tort reform in the U.S., presenting viewpoints from pro-business advocates and plaintiffs' attorneys. It details state reforms like statutes of repose and comparative fault laws, which address product liability. Additionally, it highlights the absence of a unified federal products-liability law and mentions the Consumer Product Safety Commission's role in regulating unsafe products.
- 9.6: Cases
- This page covers three legal cases addressing product liability and consumer protection. In Sheeskin v. Giant Food, the court reversed a judgment, ruling Seigel's selection of a Coca-Cola bottle indicated acceptance of purchase, while the bottler's liability was upheld. The text also discusses strict product liability under Section 402A, which holds sellers accountable for defective products, extending protection to bystanders, though dissent exists regarding liability without fault.
- 9.7: Summary and Exercises
- This page outlines products liability, detailing theories like warranty, negligence, and strict liability. Sellers face liability for breaches of express and implied warranties, with the UCC allowing exclusions and the Magnuson-Moss Act requiring clear disclosures. Courts favor strict liability, holding sellers accountable for defective products without regard for negligence.