Opinion ID: 2382064
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Restatement Claims

Text: The Grinnells allege that American violated sections 321, 389, 519, and 520 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts by (1) failing to take remedial measures to prevent harm caused by its products after the cigarettes were placed in the stream of commerce, (2) wrongfully assuming that consumers would heed adequate warnings on cigarette packages, and (3) engaging in an ultra hazardous activity by designing, manufacturing, and selling cigarettes that were inherently dangerous. We hold that summary judgment was proper on these claims. This Court has not recognized claims based on Restatement sections 321 (duty to act to prevent risk once prior conduct is found to be dangerous) or 389 (liability for supplying a known dangerous product if injury results even if a warning has been given). These sections are particularly illsuited for application to what are essentially products liability claims because they impose liability even when the manufacturer provides adequate warnings. See Maguire v. Pabst Brewing Co., 387 N.W.2d 565, 568-72 (Iowa 1986). Moreover, whether a product is dangerous is determined when it leaves the manufacturer's hands and enters the stream of commerce; subsequent acts have no bearing on the issue. Turner v. General Motors Corp., 584 S.W.2d 844, 848 (Tex.1979). The Grinnells also assert claims based on sections 519 and 520 of the Restatement and allege that American should be liable for [carrying] on an abnormally dangerous activity. Although several courts of appeals have discussed sections 519 and 520, no court has recognized these sections as creating viable claims in Texas. See Ellsworth v. Bishop Jewelry & Loan Co., 742 S.W.2d 533, 535-36 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1987, writ denied); Robertson v. Grogan Inv. Co., 710 S.W.2d 678, 679 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1986, no writ). Moreover, claims for products liability and actions implicating consumer marketing are not within the logical purview of the abnormally dangerous activity standard. See Perkins v. F.I.E. Corp., 762 F.2d 1250, 1265 & n. 43 (5th Cir.1985); Maguire, 387 N.W.2d at 568-69; RESTATEMENT (SECOND) TORTS § 519 cmt. d. We decline to adopt sections 321, 389, 519, and 520 of the Restatement in this case. Accordingly, summary judgment on these claims was proper.