What is “strict product liability” in defective products law?

Strict product liability is a legal concept in New York, related to defective products law, that holds product manufacturers and sellers responsible for any injuries or damages caused by their products, regardless of fault. This means that even if a product manufacturer or seller exercised all due care when making and/or selling/distributing the product, they are still held accountable if a defective product causes harm to users. The legal theory behind this concept is that manufacturers and sellers are in the best position to prevent any harm caused by their products, so they should bear any risk associated with their products. Under strict product liability, a product must be deemed "defective," meaning it is not reasonably safe when used in the way intended. Defects can range from design defects to manufacturing defects to labeling defects. For example, if a car manufacturer produces a car with poor brakes that causes an accident, or a faulty oven that starts a fire, the manufacturer may be sued for the damages and injuries caused. Generally, a plaintiff can bring a claim against the manufacturer or seller even if the plaintiff cannot prove the manufacturer or seller was negligent or at fault for the product defect. That is the fundamental idea behind strict product liability.

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What is “strict product liability” in defective products law?

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