{"id":765,"date":"2021-10-25T03:49:16","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T03:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/?page_id=765"},"modified":"2022-05-03T16:53:52","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T16:53:52","slug":"caci-1204-strict-liability-design-defect-risk-benefit-test-essential-factual-elements-shifting-burden-of-proof","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/caci-1204-strict-liability-design-defect-risk-benefit-test-essential-factual-elements-shifting-burden-of-proof\/","title":{"rendered":"CACI 1204 Strict Liability\u2014Design Defect\u2014Risk-Benefit Test\u2014Essential Factual Elements\u2014Shifting Burden of Proof"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku6t1q3s-1e691b258a4a1a55d688b741029643a1\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-ku6t1q3s-1e691b258a4a1a55d688b741029643a1{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-ku6t1q3s-1e691b258a4a1a55d688b741029643a1 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-ku6t1q3s-1e691b258a4a1a55d688b741029643a1 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-ku6t1q3s-1e691b258a4a1a55d688b741029643a1 av-special-heading-h1 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >CACI 1204 Strict Liability\u2014Design Defect\u2014Risk-Benefit Test\u2014Essential Factual Elements\u2014Shifting Burden of Proof<\/h1><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_below'><p>California Civil Jury Instructions CACI<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-91d7ccd583a503147498e120fee2ff9b hr-default  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0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia_search_element av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_textblock '><search><form action='https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/' id='searchform_element' method='get' class='' data-element_id='av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7' ><div class='av_searchform_wrapper'><input type='search' value='' id='s' name='s' placeholder='Search CACI' aria-label='Search CACI' class='av-input-field ' required \/><div class='av_searchsubmit_wrapper '><input type='submit' value='Find' id='searchsubmit' class='button ' title='View results on search page' aria-label='View results on search page' \/><\/div><input type='hidden' name='numberposts' value='8' \/><input type='hidden' name='post_type' value='page' \/><input type='hidden' name='results_hide_fields' value='post_titles,meta,image' \/><\/div><\/form><\/search><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-e878f05c31dff72941bf1e49a00d9ff5 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/\">CACI Jury Instructions Index<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caci-fillable-forms.crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">App: CACI Jury Instructions Fillable Forms Word Format<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-91d7ccd583a503147498e120fee2ff9b hr-default  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku6t378f-0b8f17d0e4bea63e5effd43c56d5b208\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ku6t378f-0b8f17d0e4bea63e5effd43c56d5b208 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ku6t378f-0b8f17d0e4bea63e5effd43c56d5b208 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2 class=\"SS_Banner\">1204\u00a0Strict Liability\u2014Design Defect\u2014Risk-Benefit Test\u2014Essential Factual Elements\u2014Shifting Burden of Proof<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] claims that the [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">product<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s design caused harm to [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]. To establish this claim, [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] must prove all of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">1.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] [manufactured\/distributed\/sold] the [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">product<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">];<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">2.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] was harmed<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">; and<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">3.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That the [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">product<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s design was a substantial factor in causing harm to [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">].<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">If [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] has proved these three facts, then your decision on this claim must be for [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] unless [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] proves that the benefits of the [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">product<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s design outweigh the risks of the design. In deciding whether the benefits outweigh the risks, you should consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">(a)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">The gravity of the potential harm resulting from the use of the [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">product<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">];<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">(b)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">The likelihood that this harm would occur;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">(c)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">The feasibility of an alternative safer design at the time of manufacture;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">(d)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">The cost of an alternative design; [and]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">(e)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">The disadvantages of an alternative design; [and]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[(f)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Other relevant factor(s)<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">].] <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\"><\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_1\">\n<p><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">New September 2003; Revised February 2007, April 2009, December 2009, December 2010, June 2011, January 2018, May 2019, May 2020 <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">Crowdsource Lawyers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\">https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci<\/a><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\"><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\">Directions for Use<\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_2\">\n<p>The consumer expectation test and the risk-benefit test for design defect are not mutually exclusive, and depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, both may be presented to the trier of fact in the same case. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Demara v. The Raymond Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(2017) 13 Cal.App.5th 545, 554 [221 Cal.Rptr.3d 102].) If the plaintiff asserts both tests, the instructions must make it clear that the two tests are alternatives. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Bracisco v. Beech Aircraft Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(1984) 159 Cal.App.3d 1101, 1106\u20131107 [206 Cal.Rptr. 431].) Risk-benefit weighing is not a formal part of, nor may it serve as a defense to, the consumer expectations test. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Chavez v. Glock, Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 1283, 1303 [144 Cal.Rptr.3d 326].)<\/p>\n<p>To make a prima facie case, the plaintiff has the initial burden of producing evidence that the plaintiff was injured while the product was being used in an intended or reasonably foreseeable manner. If this prima facie burden is met, the burden of proof shifts to the defendant to prove that the plaintiff\u2019s injury resulted from a misuse of the product. (See\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Perez v. VAS S.p.A<\/span>. (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 658, 678 [115 Cal.Rptr.3d 590]; see also\u00a0CACI No. 1245,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Affirmative Defense\u2014Product Misuse or Modification<\/span>.) Product misuse is a complete defense to strict products liability if the defendant proves that an unforeseeable abuse or alteration of the product after it left the manufacturer\u2019s hands was the sole cause of the plaintiff\u2019s injury. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Campbell v. Southern Pacific Co.<\/span>\u00a0(1978) 22 Cal.3d 51, 56 [148 Cal.Rptr. 596, 583 P.2d 121]; see\u00a0CACI No. 1245.) Misuse or modification that was a substantial factor in, but not the sole cause of, plaintiff\u2019s harm may also be considered in determining the comparative fault of the plaintiff or of third persons. See\u00a0CACI No. 1207A,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Strict Liability\u2014Comparative Fault of Plaintiff,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0CACI No. 1207B,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Strict Liability\u2014Comparative Fault of Third Person<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>If evidence of industry custom and practice has been admitted for a limited purpose, at the timely request of a party opposing this evidence, the jury must be given a limiting instruction on how this evidence may and may not be considered under the risk-benefit test. (See\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Kim v. Toyota Motor Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(2018) 6 Cal.5th 21, 30, 38 [237 Cal.Rptr.3d 205, 424 P.3d 290].)<\/p>\n<p>Aesthetics might be an additional factor to be considered in an appropriate case in which there is evidence that appearance is important in the marketability of the product. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">See<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Bell v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft<\/span>\u00a0(2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 1108, 1131 [105 Cal.Rptr.3d 485].) <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\">Sources and Authority<\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_3\">\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cA manufacturer, distributor, or retailer is liable in tort if a defect in the manufacture or design of its product causes injury while the product is being used in a reasonably foreseeable way.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Soule v. General Motors Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(1994) 8 Cal.4th 548, 560 [34 Cal.Rptr.2d 607, 882 P.2d 298].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[T]he term defect as utilized in the strict liability context is neither self-defining nor susceptible to a single definition applicable in all contexts.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Johnson v. United States Steel Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 22, 31 [192 Cal.Rptr.3d 158].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">The risk-benefit test requires the plaintiff to first \u2018demonstrate[] that the product\u2019s design proximately caused his injury.\u2019 If the plaintiff makes this initial showing, the defendant must then \u2018establish, in light of the relevant factors, that, on balance, the benefits of the challenged design outweigh the risk of danger inherent in such design.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Kim, supra<\/span>, 6 Cal.5th at p. 30, internal citation omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cAppellants are therefore correct in asserting that it was not their burden to show that the risks involved in the loader\u2019s design\u2014the lack of mechanical safety devices, or of a warning\u2014outweighed the benefits of these aspects of its designs. The trial court\u2019s instruction to the jury, which quite likely would have been understood to place this burden on appellants, was therefore an error.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Lunghi v. Clark Equipment Co., Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(1984) 153 Cal.App.3d 485, 497\u2013498 [200 Cal.Rptr. 387], internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[U]nder the risk\/benefit test, the plaintiff may establish the product is defective by showing that its design proximately caused his injury and the defendant then fails to establish that on balance the benefits of the challenged design outweigh the risk of danger inherent in such design. In such case, the jury must evaluate the product\u2019s design by considering the gravity of the danger posed by the design, the likelihood such danger would occur, the feasibility of a safer alternative design, the financial cost of an improved design, and the adverse consequences to the consumer resulting from an alternative design. \u2018In such cases, the jury must consider the manufacturer\u2019s evidence of competing design considerations\u2009\u2026\u2009, and the issue of design defect cannot fairly be resolved by standardless reference to the \u201cexpectations\u201d of an \u201cordinary consumer.\u201d\u2009\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Saller v. Crown Cork &amp; Seal Co., Inc<\/span>. (2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 1220, 1233 [115 Cal.Rptr.3d 151], internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[T]he defendant\u2019s burden is one \u2018affecting the burden of proof, rather than simply the burden of producing evidence.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Moreno v. Fey Manufacturing Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(1983) 149 Cal.App.3d 23, 27 [196 Cal.Rptr. 487].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cThe [consumer-expectation and risk-benefit] tests provide alternative means for a plaintiff to prove design defect and do not serve as defenses to one another. A product may be defective under the consumer expectation test even if the benefits of the design outweigh the risks. [Citation.] On the other hand, a product may be defective if it satisfies consumer expectations but contains an excessively preventable danger in that the risks of the design outweigh its benefits.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Chavez, supra<\/span>, 207 Cal.App.4th at p. 1303.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cUnder\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Barker<\/span>, in short, the plaintiff bears an initial burden of making \u2018a prima facie showing that the injury was proximately caused by the product\u2019s design.\u2019 This showing requires evidence that the plaintiff was injured\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">while using the product in an intended or reasonably foreseeable manner<\/span>\u00a0and that the plaintiff\u2019s ability to avoid injury was frustrated by the absence of a safety device, or by the nature of the product\u2019s design. If this prima facie burden is met, the burden of proof shifts to the defendant to prove, in light of the relevant factors, that the product is not defective. Importantly, the plaintiff\u2019s prima facie burden of producing evidence that injury occurred while the product was being used in an intended or reasonably foreseeable manner must be distinguished from the ultimate burden of proof that rests with the defendant to establish that its product was not defective because the plaintiff\u2019s injury resulted from a misuse of the product.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Perez, supra,<\/span>\u00a0188 Cal.App.4th at p. 678, original italics, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c\u2009\u2018[I]n evaluating the adequacy of a product\u2019s design pursuant to [the risk-benefit] standard, a jury may consider, among other relevant factors, the gravity of the danger posed by the challenged design, the likelihood that such danger would occur, the mechanical feasibility of a safer alternative design, the financial cost of an improved design, and the adverse consequences to the product and to the consumer that would result from an alternative design.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Gonzalez v. Autoliv ASP, Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(2007) 154 Cal.App.4th 780, 786\u2013787 [64 Cal.Rptr.3d 908], internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[E]xpert evidence about compliance with industry standards can be considered on the issue of defective design, in light of all other relevant circumstances, even if such compliance is not a complete defense. An action on a design defect theory can be prosecuted and defended through expert testimony that is addressed to the elements of such a claim, including risk-benefit considerations.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Howard v. Omni Hotels Management Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(2012) 203 Cal.App.4th 403, 426 [136 Cal.Rptr.3d 739].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cWe stress that while industry custom and practice evidence is not categorically inadmissible, neither is it categorically admissible; its admissibility will depend on application of the ordinary rules of evidence in the circumstances of the case.\u2009\u2026 First, the party seeking admission of such evidence must establish its relevance to at least one of the elements of the risk-benefit test, either causation or the\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Barker<\/span>\u00a0factors. The evidence is relevant to the\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Barker<\/span>\u00a0inquiry if it sheds light on whether, objectively speaking, the product was designed as safely as it should have been, given \u2018the complexity of, and trade-offs implicit in, the design process.\u2019 Whether the evidence serves this purpose depends on whether, under the circumstances of the case, it is reasonable to conclude that other manufacturers\u2019 choices do, as the Court of Appeal put it, \u2018reflect legitimate, independent research and practical experience regarding the appropriate balance of product safety, cost, and functionality.\u2019 If the proponent of the evidence establishes a sufficient basis for drawing such a conclusion, the evidence is admissible, even though one side or the other may argue it is entitled to little weight because industry participants have weighed the relevant considerations incorrectly. The evidence may not, however, be introduced simply for the purpose of showing the manufacturer was acting no worse than its competitors.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Kim, supra,<\/span>\u00a06 Cal.5th at p 37, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[I]f the party opposing admission of this evidence makes a timely request, the trial court must issue a jury instruction that explains how this evidence may and may not be considered under the risk-benefit test.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Kim, supra,<\/span>\u00a06 Cal.5th at p. 38.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cPlaintiffs contend aesthetics is not a proper consideration in the risk-benefit analysis, and the trial court\u2019s ruling to the contrary was an \u2018[e]rror in law.\u2019 We disagree. In our view, much of the perceived benefit of a car lies in its appearance. A car is not a strictly utilitarian product. We believe that a jury properly may consider aesthetics in balancing the benefits of a challenged design against the risk of danger inherent in the design. Although consideration of the disadvantages of an alternative design (CACI No. 1204, factor (e)) would encompass any impact on aesthetics, we conclude that there was no error in the trial court\u2019s approval of the modification listing aesthetics as a relevant factor.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Bell<\/span>,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">supra<\/span>, 181 Cal.App.4th at p. 1131, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cTaken together, section 2, subdivision (b), and section 5 of the Restatement indicate that a component part manufacturer may be held liable for a defect in the component. When viewed in its entirety, the Restatement does not support [defendant]\u2019s argument that \u2018[o]nly if the component part analysis establishes sufficient control over the design of the alleged defect should the component manufacturer be held to the standard of the risk-benefit test.\u2019 Instead, the test considering foreseeable risks of harm and alternative designs is applied to the component part manufacturer when the alleged defect is in the component.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Gonzalez, supra,<\/span>\u00a0154 Cal.App.4th at pp. 789\u2013790.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cWhere liability depends on the proof of a design defect, no practical difference exists between negligence and strict liability; the claims merge.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Lambert v. General Motors<\/span>\u00a0(1998) 67 Cal.App.4th 1179, 1185 [79 Cal.Rptr.2d 657].) <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"SS_Heading\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\"><span class=\"SS_ib\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_ib\">Secondary Sources<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<div>6 Witkin, Summary of California Law (11th ed. 2017) Torts, \u00a7\u00a7\u20091615\u20131631<\/div>\n<div>Haning et al., California Practice Guide: Personal Injury, Ch. 2(II)-D,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Strict Liability For Defective Products<\/span>, \u00b6\u00b6\u20092:1223\u20132:1224 (The Rutter Group)<\/div>\n<div>California Products Liability Actions, Ch. 7,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Proof<\/span>, \u00a7\u20097.02\u00a0(Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div>40\u00a0California Forms of Pleading and Practice, Ch. 460,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Products Liability<\/span>, \u00a7\u2009460.11\u00a0(Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div>19\u00a0California Points and Authorities, Ch. 190,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Products Liability<\/span>, \u00a7\u00a7\u2009190.110, 190.118\u2013190.122 (Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-t60qt-c9ef45a657b8dfccbcb4baebb2409410 hr-default  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku4g5-4f3b31e16b98e67342d637f2f2144176\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ku4g5-4f3b31e16b98e67342d637f2f2144176 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:22px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ku4g5-4f3b31e16b98e67342d637f2f2144176 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">CrowdSourceLawyers.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-765","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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