Opinion ID: 1387335
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Under the facts of this case, did the trial court err in refusing a comparative fault instruction?

Text: If the facts did not warrant an instruction on comparative fault, then, of course, refusing that instruction would not have been error. [13] As indicated earlier, we believe, as does Justice Zlaket, that there is a difference between contributory negligence, which is not a defense in a strict product liability action, and misuse, which is a defense. See Special Concurrence by Zlaket, J., Op. at 401, 904 P.2d at 871. Whether theoretically correct or internally contradictory, the misuse doctrine was based on the concept that the purpose to which the product was put was not only unforeseeable but broke the chain of causation. Obviously, therefore, not every improper use of a product will constitute misuse rather than contributory negligence. [14] Careless and thus improper handling or operation of the product is negligent use but not misuse. Contrary to the statement made in the last sentence of Justice Martone's special concurrence, we do not hold that foreseeable misuse or contributory negligence is a defense in a strict products case. The facts in this case may not qualify as misuse. We note, however, that until we asked for supplemental briefs on this issue, Plaintiffs did not object to the misuse instruction on the theory that it was unwarranted by the facts but only on the statutory interpretation grounds discussed in part A(2) above. We therefore believe that the issue is not before us and, for purposes of this appeal, assume that the instruction was factually warranted.