What is a “lack of causation” defense to a product liability claim?
A “lack of causation” defense to a product liability claim is when a defendant asserts that their product was not the cause of the plaintiff’s injury or damages. This means that the defendant is arguing that the product was not defective and did not cause the plaintiff’s harm. The defendant may use this defense to try to avoid liability, or financial responsibility, for the harm they caused. In order to successfully prove that their product did not cause the harm, the defendant must show that the product did not contain any defective parts and that the plaintiff used the product in a reasonable way. The defendant may also bring in expert testimony to prove that another source, such as human error or external forces, caused the harm. The South Dakota Dangerous Products Law provides that a defendant cannot be held liable unless it can be proven that the defendant was negligent in the design, manufacture, or distribution of the product in question. If the defendant can successfully prove that their product was not the cause of the plaintiff’s harm, the defendant may be able to avoid paying damages for the harm they caused.
Related FAQs
What is an “abnormal use” defense to a product liability claim?What legal remedies are available in a product liability case?
What is a design defect?
What is a marketing defect?
What is a class-action lawsuit?
Can I sue the manufacturer of a defective product if I was injured while using it?
What is a failure to warn claim?
What are the types of defenses that may be raised by the defendant in a products liability claim?
What is the “risk-benefit” defense to a product liability claim?
What is a “comparative negligence” defense to a product liability claim?
Related Blog Posts
What Is The Scope of Dangerous Products Law? - July 31, 2023How Can a Lawyer Help Me With a Dangerous Product Lawsuit? - August 7, 2023
What Are the Most Common Dangerous Product Lawsuits? - August 14, 2023
Understanding Product Liability and Negligence in Dangerous Products Law - August 21, 2023
Defending Against Dangerous Products Law Claims - August 28, 2023