Opinion ID: 2046018
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Law regarding negligent failure to warn.

Text: We have adopted section 388 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts for determining whether a manufacturer of goods has fulfilled its duty to warn of a product's dangerous propensities. Lamb v. Manitowoc Co., 570 N.W.2d 65, 68 (Iowa 1997). That section states as follows: One who supplies directly or through a third person a chattel for another to use is subject to liability to those whom the supplier should expect to use the chattel with the consent of the other or to be endangered by its probable use, for physical harm caused by the use of the chattel in the manner for which and by a person for whose use it is supplied, if the supplier (a) knows or has reason to know that the chattel is or is likely to be dangerous for the use for which it is supplied, and (b) has no reason to believe that those for whose use the chattel is supplied will realize its dangerous condition, and (c) fails to exercise reasonable care to inform them of its dangerous condition or of the facts which make it likely to be dangerous. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 388 (1965). While section 388 deals specifically with suppliers of chattels, section 394 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts subjects manufacturers to the same liability. Lamb, 570 N.W.2d at 68. A claim alleging a manufacturer failed to warn of the dangers involved in using a product is properly based on a theory of negligence, not strict liability. Id. We have said that the proper analysis concerning a manufacturer's duty to warn at the point of sale essentially focuses on the foreseeability of a defective product. Lovick, 588 N.W.2d at 695. In other words, the inquiry is whether a reasonable manufacturer knew or should have known of the danger, in light of the generally recognized and prevailing best scientific knowledge, yet failed to provide adequate warning to users or customers. Olson, 522 N.W.2d at 289-90. A manufacturer therefore has a duty to warn when a party `reasonably foresee[s] a danger of injury or damage to one less knowledgeable unless an adequate warning is given.' Lamb, 570 N.W.2d at 68 (quoting Beeman, 496 N.W.2d at 252). Whether a warning should have been given is a question for the jury. Beeman, 496 N.W.2d at 252. In the context of a failure to warn claim, proximate cause can be established by showing a warning would have altered the plaintiff's conduct so as to avoid injury. Lovick, 588 N.W.2d at 700.