Product Liability Act

Summary

Product Liability Act - Preempts State product liability laws. States that this Act governs any civil action for harm caused by a product which would have been based on: (1) strict or absolute liability in tort; (2) negligence or gross negligence; (3) breach of express or implied warranty and; (4) failure to discharge a duty to warn or instruct. Makes a manufacturer liable if the claimant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that a product was unreasonably dangerous: (1) in construction or design; (2) because the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings of danger; or (3) because the product did not conform to an express warranty. Specifies the requisite findings which must be made for such proof of unreasonable danger to be determined. Subjects a product seller to liability if the claimant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the claimant's harm was proximately caused by such seller's failure to use reasonable care with respect to the product. Enumerates circumstances under which such a seller is also subject to the liability of a manufacturer. Provides that all claims, under this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Sets forth rules with respect to conduct affecting comparative responsibility, including misuse, alteration or modification of a product. Specifies the manner in which damages are to be apportioned. Requires that damages in any product liability claim be reduced by an amount paid as workers' compensation benefits. Prescribes statutes of limitation for recovery. Allows punitive damages to be awarded if the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of the product manufacturer's or sellers's reckless disregard for the safety of product users, consumers, or others who might be harmed by the product. Provides that evidence of corrective measures taken by a product seller after a harm has occurred would not be admissible in court to prove liability.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 16 June 1982

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 16 June 1982

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 30 June 1982

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Consumer. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

4. 1 July 1982

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Consumer. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

5. 1 October 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

6. 1 December 1982

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 963.

   Source: Calendars

7. 1 December 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 97-670.

   Source: Committee

8. 1 December 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 97-670.

   Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

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Documents

2 official files

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 1 December 1982

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 16 June 1982

  Open at official source

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Sponsors

• Sen. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Abdnor, James [R-SD] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Percy, Charles H. [R-IL] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Garn, E. J. (Jake) [R-UT] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Mattingly, Mack [R-GA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Randolph, Jennings [D-WV] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Boschwitz, Rudy [R-MN] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Quayle, Dan [R-IN] · R · Cosponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing

Related records

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