Court Opinion

ID: 9775179
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 18:47:09.552112+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:22.227607
License: Public Domain

OSBORNE, Justice
(concurring).
It is my opinion this court went overboard in Dealers Transport Co. v. Battery Distributing Co., Ky., 402 S.W.2d 441. when it not only adopted the doctrine of strict liability but extended it further than had been recommended by its strongest advocates. All of my reasons are set forth in a dissent in Kroger Co. v. Bowman, Ky., 411 S.W.2d 339.
I concur in the majority opinion here because I believe it has the force of bringing the doctrine back into reasonable bounds and applying a logical rule of law.
I pointed out in my dissent in the Kroger case, supra, that where the doctrine is applied the plaintiff should carry the burden of proving:
1. Privity — that is by the purchaser or the one intended to be reached by the product.
2. Defective quality — not merely deficient for the consumers use.
3. That the defect existed when the product was sold by the distributor or manufacturer.
4. That the product differs from other standard products on the market.
5. Sustain the burden of proof that the injury was caused by the defect in the product and that the defect existed when the product left the hands of the defendant in the action.
I believe the majority in this case is realistic in saying that the plaintiff must fail because the proof did not show that the product differed materially from other standard products on the market.
For the above reasons stated, I concur in the majority opinion.