Under strict products liability, who may be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product when in the chain of commerce and the product is unreasonably dangerous?

• A. A seller is always liable only if negligent
• B. A seller or manufacturer is liable for injuries caused by a defective product regardless of fault, if in the chain of commerce and unreasonably dangerous
• C. Only manufacturers are liable for product defects
• D. Liability can be avoided if the user misused the product

Answer: (B)

Under strict products liability, the focus is on the defect and the product’s place in the distribution chain, not on the seller’s or manufacturer’s fault. If a product is defective and unreasonably dangerous when it leaves the manufacturer’s hands, anyone in the chain of commerce who sold or distributed that product can be held liable for injuries it causes, regardless of whether they were negligent. The plaintiff’s job is to show the product was defective, the defect caused the injury, and the product was in the chain of commerce at the time of sale. This broader accountability reflects that those who market and distribute products are in the best position to ensure safety and to bear the costs of injuries they cause.

So the best description is that a seller or manufacturer is liable for injuries caused by a defective product regardless of fault, if in the chain of commerce and unreasonably dangerous. The other statements either impose fault as a prerequisite, limit liability only to manufacturers, or imply a universal defense of misuse, which doesn’t align with the general rule of strict liability.