What Is Strict Liability In A Product Liability Lawsuit?

In Texas, product liability lawsuits can be brought under several legal theories, including negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. In this blog post, we will focus on explaining what strict liability is in the context of products liability lawsuits in Texas.

Definition

Strict liability is a legal doctrine that imposes liability on a defendant regardless of whether they were negligent or breached their duty of care. This means that the plaintiff does not need to prove that the defendant was at fault or failed to exercise reasonable care. Rather, the plaintiff only needs to show that the defendant's product was defective and caused their injuries.

Application in Products Liability Lawsuits

In the context of products liability lawsuits, strict liability typically applies to cases involving design defects, manufacturing defects, or warning defects. Design defects occur when the product is inherently dangerous due to its design, while manufacturing defects occur when a flaw in the manufacturing process makes the product dangerous. Warning defects occur when the product lacks adequate warnings or instructions for safe use.

Burden of Proof

While strict liability does not require the plaintiff to prove negligence, they still have the burden of proving that the defendant's product was defective and caused their injuries. This means that the plaintiff must be able to establish that the product was unreasonably dangerous and that the defect caused their injuries.

Defenses

There are some defenses that may be available to defendants in strict liability cases, such as arguing that the plaintiff misused the product or that the defect was not the cause of the plaintiff's injuries. Additionally, defendants may argue that the product was not defective when it left their control, or that the defect was the result of a modification or alteration by someone other than the defendant.

Importance of Legal Representation

Strict liability cases can be complex, and it is important to have an experienced products liability attorney on your side. An attorney can help you gather evidence to support your case, identify potential defendants, and navigate the legal process. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In conclusion, strict liability is a legal doctrine that imposes liability on a defendant regardless of whether they were negligent or breached their duty of care. In the context of products liability lawsuits in Texas, strict liability typically applies to cases involving design defects, manufacturing defects, or warning defects. While the burden of proof is lower for plaintiffs in strict liability cases, defendants may still have defenses available to them. It is important to have an experienced products liability attorney on your side to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.  Contact The Bryant Law Firm for a free consultation today.

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