30393
Fundamentals of Product Liability Law for Engineers
By Linda K. Enghagen, J.D. 1992, 184 pp., illus. ISBN 0-8311-3039-3
$39.95

Product liability law suits yield more million dollar plus judgements than any other class of personal injury law suits. The threat of litigation is in the background of every product as it is designed, developed, and sold to the consumer. This book provides practicing engineers, technical managers, and engineering students with a basic understanding of the rules of substantive law governing product liability litigation. It offers insight into the theories of law that are used, and it explains the process involved in proving a law suit in a court of law. Fundamentals of Product Liability Law for Engineers is written to the engineer and does not require any background in law nor does it require any proficiency in legalese. In addition, it includes edited versions of actual court decisions that will enable the reader to develop an appreciation for the manner in which judges analyze cases and therefore render decisions.

Table of Contents:
Background of Product Liability Law. Theories of Liability. Design Defect Cases. Manufacturing Defect Cases. Misrepresentation Cases. Strategies for Protection Against Product Liability Law Suits. Inspection and Testing Procedures. Use of Disclaimers. Duty to Warn. Duty to Provide Instructions. Protection from Liability for Individual Engineers. Defenses to Product Liability Law Suits. Contributory Negligence. Comparative Negligence. Assumption of the Risk. State-of-the-Art-Defense. Proving a Case. Commencement of a Law Suit. Discovery Phase. The Trial. Jury Instructions. Appeals. Evidentiary Issues in Produce Liability Cases. Direct and Circumstantial Evidence. Corporate Record Keeping. Attorney-Client Privilege. Appendices. Glossary. Index.