What is a “foreign object defense”?
In Washington, a “foreign object defense” is a legal defense that is used in a products liability case. This defense is often used when a plaintiff alleges that a product was defective due to a foreign object in it, such as a piece of metal or wood. When this defense is raised, the defendant has to prove that the foreign object was not added or caused by the manufacturer or seller of the product. In other words, the defendant must prove that the foreign object was in the product before it was sold, or that it did not originate from the manufacturer or seller. The foreign object defense can be raised by the defendant in a products liability case if it can be proven that the foreign object is responsible for the injury or damage caused by the product. In order to raise this defense, the defendant must prove that the foreign object was present prior to when the product was sold. In Washington, the foreign object defense is important for businesses that manufacture and sell products because it can provide them with a defense if a customer brings a product liability case against them. If the foreign object defense is successfully raised, the defendant may be able to avoid liability for the injury or damage caused by the product.
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