What factors do courts consider when determining whether a product is defective?

When determining if a product is defective, courts in North Carolina examine several factors. Firstly, the court must decide whether a product is unreasonably dangerous, or if it lacks an important safety feature or design. To make this determination, courts may look at the product’s purpose and instructions as well as its overall manufacturing and design. Courts will also examine the circumstances surrounding the product’s use. For example, if a product is inherently dangerous to use when used as intended, the court may find that the product is defective. In other cases, the court may look at whether the product was defective when it was first sold or made available to consumers. Finally, courts will consider the issue of warnings and disclaimers. If the manufacturer has provided warnings or disclaimers about the potential risks associated with the use of the product, a court may not find it to be defective. On the other hand, if the warnings or disclaimers are inadequate or unsatisfactory, a court may find that the product is unreasonably dangerous or defective. In sum, courts in North Carolina will take many factors into consideration when determining whether a product is defective. Factors include the product’s design, safety features, purpose, circumstances of use, and warnings and disclaimers. Collectively, these factors will help courts make an informed judgment about the product’s safety and whether it is defectively manufactured.

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What factors do courts consider when determining whether a product is defective?

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