Products Liability Law

by Owen, David G.

• ISBN13: 9780314211750
• ISBN10: 0314211756
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-05-27
• Publisher: West Group

Summary

This hornbook delves into the expanding field of products liability law. It focuses on the major issues of products liability law, addressing them in a clear, comprehensive manner. The book starts out with introductory discussions on the nature and history of the law in the United States and abroad. It proceeds with detailed inquiries into the theories of liability, product defectiveness, causation and defenses. The book ends with a focus on selected issues, including punitive damages.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Acknowledgments	vii
Westlaw Overview	xi
Summary of Contents	xiii
Abbreviated Citations	xix
Introduction	1	(59)
Products Liability Law	1	(9)
Early Law	10	(13)
Modern American Law	23	(26)
Foreign Law	49	(11)
PART I. THEORIES OF RECOVERY
Negligence	60	(51)
Negligence---Generally	60	(6)
The Standard of Care	66	(12)
Proof of Negligence---Industry Standards	78	(6)
Proof of Negligence---Violation of Statute	84	(10)
Proof of Negligence---Res Ipsa Loquitur	94	(11)
The Resurgence of Negligence	105	(6)
Tortious Misrepresentation	111	(34)
Misrepresentation---Generally	111	(1)
Fraud	112	(16)
Negligent Misrepresentation	128	(7)
Strict Liability for Misrepresentation	135	(10)
Warranty	145	(103)
Warranty---Generally	145	(4)
Express Warranty	149	(17)
Implied Warranty of Merchantability	166	(10)
Implied Warranty of Fitness for Particular Purpose	176	(7)
Privity of Contract and Third Party Beneficiaries	183	(15)
Notice of Breach	198	(8)
Disclaimers	206	(23)
Limitations of Remedy	229	(8)
Anti-Disclaimer and Other Warranty Reform Legislation	237	(11)
Strict Liability in Tort	248	(84)
Strict Liability in Tort---Generally	248	(2)
The Path to Strict Liability in Tort	250	(8)
Restatement (Second) of Torts 402A	258	(22)
Policies and Rationales	280	(9)
Liability Tests	289	(3)
The Consumer Expectations Test	292	(9)
The Risk--Utility Test	301	(8)
Alternative Tests	309	(8)
Comparison with Other Liability Theories	317	(15)
PART II. PRODUCT DEFECTIVENESS
Nature and Proof of Defectiveness	332	(100)
Defectiveness---Generally	332	(2)
The Three Types of Defect	334	(18)
Proof of Defect---Expert Testimony	352	(26)
Proof of Defect---Recurring Issues	378	(25)
Restatement (Third) of Torts: Products Liability	403	(29)
Manufacturing Defects	432	(48)
Manufacturing Defects---Generally	432	(7)
Theories and Tests of Liability	439	(5)
Departure from Design Specifications	444	(6)
Product Malfunction	450	(10)
Food and Drink	460	(20)
Design Defects	480	(81)
Design Defects---Generally	480	(5)
Theories and Tests of Liability	485	(2)
The Consumer Expectations Test	487	(5)
The Risk--Utility Test	492	(12)
Proof of a Reasonable Alternative Design	504	(11)
Combining Consumer Expectations and Risk-Utility	515	(14)
Constructive Knowledge---The Wade--Keeton Test	529	(5)
Design Defectiveness in the Third Restatement	534	(6)
Optional Safety Devices	540	(8)
Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices	548	(13)
Warning Defects	561	(60)
Warning Defects---Generally	561	(6)
Theories and Tests of Liability	567	(6)
Adequacy	573	(19)
Persons to Be Warned	592	(6)
Sophisticated Users and Bulk Suppliers	598	(6)
Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices	604	(17)
Limitations on Defectiveness	621	(109)
Limitations on Defectiveness---Generally	621	(1)
Obvious Dangers	622	(20)
Inherent Product Hazards---Product Category Liability	642	(33)
State of the Art	675	(32)
Prenatal Harm	707	(5)
Deterioration	712	(5)
Disposal and Salvage	717	(4)
Post-Sale Duties to Warn, Repair, or Recall	721	(9)
PART III. CAUSATION
Cause in Fact	730	(34)
Cause in Fact---Generally	730	(3)
Tests and Proof of Causation	733	(11)
Multiple Defendants	744	(12)
Warning Cases---Special Causation Issues	756	(8)
Proximate Cause	764	(28)
Proximate Cause---Generally	764	(3)
Foreseeability and Other ``Tests''	767	(10)
Intervening and Superseding Causes	777	(15)
PART IV. DEFENSES
User Misconduct Defenses	792	(85)
User Misconduct Defenses---Generally	792	(5)
Contributory Negligence	797	(14)
Comparative Fault	811	(9)
Assumption of Risk	820	(22)
Misuse	842	(14)
Defenses to Warranty Claims	856	(12)
Defenses to Misrepresentation Claims	868	(9)
Special Defenses	877	(73)
Special Defenses---Generally	877	(1)
Compliance with Contract Specifications; Government Contractors	878	(8)
Compliance with Statutes and Regulations	886	(9)
Federal Preemption	895	(25)
Statutes of Limitations and Repose	920	(30)
PART V. SPECIAL ISSUES
Special Types of Defendants	950	(59)
Special Types of Defendants---Generally	950	(1)
Retailers and Other Non-manufacturing Sellers	951	(12)
Raw Material and Component Part Suppliers	963	(10)
Parent and Apparent Manufacturers; Franchisers	973	(9)
Successor Corporations	982	(8)
Employers as Manufacturers	990	(9)
Miscellaneous Marketing Participants	999	(10)
Special Types of Transactions and Products	1009	(63)
Special Types of Transactions and Products---Generally	1009	(1)
Lease, Bailment, and License Transactions	1010	(15)
Service Transactions	1025	(13)
Repaired, Rebuilt, and Reconditioned Products	1038	(5)
Used Products	1043	(3)
Electricity	1046	(3)
Real Estate	1049	(8)
Publications	1057	(7)
Blood	1064	(5)
Miscellaneous Transactions and Products	1069	(3)
Automotive Litigation	1072	(47)
Automotive Litigation---Generally	1072	(2)
Defects Which Cause Accidents	1074	(5)
Crashworthiness	1079	(15)
Indivisible Harm and Damages Apportionment	1094	(6)
Plaintiff Fault	1100	(19)
Punitive Damages	1119	(114)
Punitive Damages---Generally	1119	(13)
Functions of Punitive Damages	1132	(12)
Forms of Manufacturer Misconduct	1144	(18)
Basis of Liability	1162	(15)
Problems and Recurring Criticisms	1177	(23)
Judicial and Legislative Reform	1200	(16)
Constitutional Limitations	1216	(17)
Westlaw Appendix	1233	(18)
Table of Statutes and Rules	1251	(16)
Table of Cases	1267	(102)
Index	1369