Opinion ID: 1670551
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Definition of Unreasonably Dangerous

Text: Fibreboard and Owens-Illinois requested an instruction as follows: The phrase unreasonably dangerous as used in this instruction means that the utility or usefulness of the product was outweighed by its risks. The court of appeals found that this instruction was not authorized under our law, but transferred the case here because of the importance of the point. Because of the state of the record we are unable to add very much to the discussion in Nesselrode v. Executive Beechcraft, Inc., 707 S.W.2d 371, 376-8 (Mo. banc 1986), and School District of Independence v. U.S. Gypsum, 750 S.W.2d 442 (Mo.App.1988). The defendants argue for a risk-benefit instruction. The Restatement of Torts suggests that a risk-benefit analysis is especially appropriate in cases involving critical medical products which may provide the only available therapy for serious conditions but which may have serious side effects. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 402A comment k. See Feldman v. Lederle Laboratories, 97 N.J. 429, 479 A.2d 374 (1984). The concept might also be applicable to useful products which are not generally considered unsafe, when issues are presented as to alternative methods of design and the adequacy of warnings. O'Brien v. Muskin Corporation, 94 N.J. 169, 463 A.2d 298 (1983); 3 Devitt, Blackmar & Wolff, Federal Jury Practice and Instructions, 4th Ed. (1987), § 82.09, p. 233. This record, however, presents no issue of weighing benefits against dangers. Although asbestos once was widely used as an insulating material it is now considered so dangerous that insulation products containing asbestos have not been marketed since the early 1970s and widespread asbestos removal projects have been undertaken. Fibreboard made no attempt to show that its product had such utility that it could be rendered reasonably safe by an adequate warning. See School District of Independence v. U.S. Gypsum, 750 S.W.2d at 454, in which no error was found in rejecting comparative risk assessment testimony, for want of a proper offer of proof. Fibreboard argued instead that its product was not unreasonably dangerous, but the jury did not agree. The evidence clearly established the dangers of exposure to asbestos. See School District of Independence v. U.S. Gypsum, 750 S.W.2d 442 (Mo.App. 1988); Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, 493 F.2d 1076 (5th Cir. 1973). No other instruction defining unreasonably dangerous was requested, and it would not be appropriate to comment further. See Nesselrode v. Executive Beechcraft, Inc., 707 S.W.2d 371, 389 (Mo. banc 1986) (Blackmar, J. concurring), indicating that there may be open questions under our law about defining this term. We cannot say the existing case law and the present MAI instructions answer all possible legal questions which may arise in products liability cases. A party who believes that additional instructions are legally appropriate must request a correct instruction and must develop an evidentiary record in support.