What is the “state of the art defense” in defective products law?

The “state of the art defense” in defective products law is a legal strategy that is used to help protect a manufacturer from liability related to defective products. This strategy is used in court cases in Indiana, as well as in other states. In Indiana, the “state of the art defense” is typically invoked in cases involving strict product liability, which is when a manufacturer is held liable for providing a product that is defective or not fit for the purpose for which it was sold. To invoke this defense, a manufacturer must prove that they have designed and manufactured the product according to the current industry standards and in compliance with the applicable regulations. If a manufacturer is deemed to have met the “state of the art defense”, then they can be relieved of liability related to the defective product. This defense is usually successful when the product met the industry standards and state or federal regulations in place at the time of manufacture. However, even if a manufacturer can prove that they met the “state of the art defense”, they can still be held liable for injury or damage caused by the product if they did not exercise due care or use reasonable care in its design, manufacture, sale or service. Ultimately, the “state of the art defense” in defective products law provides manufacturers with some protection from liability for potentially defective products, but there is no guarantee that the defense will be successful.

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