How is negligence determined in a defective products case?
In a defective products case in Washington, negligence is determined by assessing the level of care taken by the responsible party. This can be assessed by looking at the design, manufacture, and marketing of the product. For example, if the company that manufactured the product did not follow safety regulations or did not use appropriate materials, this could be considered negligence. Additionally, if the product was not adequately tested, marketed without adequate warnings, or inadequately labelled, this could also be considered negligence. The courts may also look at the consumer’s level of care when determining whether negligence was present. If the consumer was not careful while using the product, they may be held partially responsible if they were injured due to the product. This is known as “comparative negligence” and works to reduce the amount of damages the consumer may recover. Finally, the court will assess the amount of damages that the consumer suffered due to the product’s defects and negligence. This could include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When a consumer can prove that the product was defective and that the responsible party was negligent, they may be able to receive compensation for those damages suffered.
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