Product liability is a legal concept that holds manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers liable for damages or injuries caused by their products. It is an important legal protection that helps ensure consumers can buy and use products safely, without fear of harm or injury. In Iowa, product liability laws come into play when a product causes physical harm or damage to a person or property.
In this article, we will explore what product liability is, the types of product liability claims, and how it applies to personal injury cases in Iowa.
Table of Contents
Types of Product Liability Claims
There are three main types of product liability claims: defectively manufactured products, defectively designed products, and failure to warn.
Defectively Manufactured Products
A defectively manufactured product refers to a product that is flawed as a result of the manufacturing process. This means that the product may have been built incorrectly, or may contain defects that were not intended or accounted for during the manufacturing process.
For example, if a car has a part that breaks due to a flaw in the manufacturing process, and that flaw causes an accident and injures someone, the manufacturer may be held liable.
Defectively Designed Products
A defectively designed product refers to a product that is inherently flawed, even if it is manufactured perfectly. This means that the design itself is flawed, and that flaw results in the product being unsafe for its intended use.
For example, if a car model has a design flaw that causes the car to roll over more easily than it should, and that design flaw causes an accident and injures someone, the manufacturer may be held liable.
Failure to Warn
A failure to warn claim can arise when a product is dangerous in a way that is not readily apparent to the consumer, and the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warning or instruction.
For example, if a medication has potentially dangerous side effects, and the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warning to consumers, resulting in harm or injury, the manufacturer may be held liable.
How Product Liability Applies to Personal Injury Cases in Iowa
In Iowa, product liability claims may arise in cases of personal injury or property damage. To prove a product liability claim in Iowa, the plaintiff must show that:
- The defendant was in the business of selling the product
- The product was sold in a defective condition that made it unreasonably dangerous
- The plaintiff suffered injury or damage as a result of using the product
- The defect was the proximate cause of the injury or damage suffered by the plaintiff
One important thing to note about product liability claims in Iowa is that the state follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if the plaintiff is found to be partially at fault for the injury or damage suffered, their damages award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
For example, if a person is injured while using a saw that is defectively designed, but it is found that they were using the saw in a way that was not intended, and that contributed to their injury, their damages award may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
Final Thoughts
Product liability is an important legal protection that ensures consumers can buy and use products safely. In Iowa, product liability claims may arise in cases of personal injury or property damage caused by defective products. If you believe you have a product liability claim, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options.