What are the types of defenses that may be raised by the defendant in a products liability claim?

In Maryland, a defendant in a product liability case may raise a number of defenses to try to avoid liability. Generally, these defenses fall into two categories: product misuse and design defects. Product misuse involves the defendant proving that the injury was caused by the plaintiff misusing or handling the product in an unsafe manner. This means that the plaintiff used the product in a way that was not intended by the manufacturer or designer, and the injury resulted from this misuse. For example, if a plaintiff used a power saw without the appropriate safety guard, this could be considered product misuse and the defendant may be able to avoid liability. Design defects are when an injury is caused by a flaw or defect in the design of the product, rather than any specific misuse. In this case, the defendant may be able to raise the defense of design defect by showing that the manufacturer and/or designer took the appropriate steps to create a safe product, but the design of the product still caused the injury. For example, if a product has insufficient warnings regarding its risks and dangers, this could be considered a design defect and the defendant may be able to avoid liability. Overall, a defendant in a product liability case may be able to raise the defenses of product misuse or design defects to try to avoid liability. However, it is important to note that these defenses may not be successful in all cases. Each case is different, and defendants should consult an experienced attorney to help them determine which defense strategy is best for their particular case.

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