Opinion ID: 1777411
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: defect and unreasonably dangerous

Text: Altec and Mobile ask what products are covered, what is a defect, and by inference, what is unreasonably dangerous. It has been held that the terms are synonymous, that is, defective means unreasonably dangerous and has no independent significance. See Reyes v. Wyeth Laboratories, 498 F.2d 1264 (5th Cir. 1974); Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, 493 F.2d 1076 (5th Cir. 1973). Our answer is, a defect is that which renders a product unreasonably dangerous, i.e., not fit for its intended purpose, and that all defective products are covered. Whether a product is unreasonably dangerous is for the trier of fact, just as negligence, vel non, is in a traditional negligence case. The product either is or is not unreasonably dangerous to a person who should be expected to use or to be exposed to it. If it is, it makes no difference whether it is dangerous by design or defect. The important factor is whether it is safe or dangerous when the product is used as it was intended to be used. Cf. 62 Ky. L.J. 866. However, danger may be obviated by an adequate warning. Comment i. of § 402 A, Restatement of Torts 2d, states: The article sold must be dangerous to an extent beyond that which would be contemplated by the ordinary consumer who purchases it, with the ordinary knowledge common to the community as to its characteristics. [2] Defective is interpreted to mean that the product does not meet the reasonable expectations of an ordinary consumer as to its safety. Comment g. of the Restatement says defective condition applies when, at the time the product leaves the seller's hands, it is in a condition not contemplated by the ultimate consumer.