Question

Before the case of Macpherson v Buick Motor Car in 1916, the law based liability for injuries due to a defective product on:____.
A. The principle of striet liability.
B. Whether the manufacturer exercised due care.
C. The doctrine of the reasonable person.
D. The direct contractual relationship between the seller and the consumer.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. The principle of strict liability.

Explanation:

The MacPherson v. Buick Motor Car case in 1916 changed the way product liability would be considered in the US. Strict product liability doctrine states that a manufacturer can be sued not only as a result of their negligent acts, but also for selling defective products. Before that case, privity of contract was required in order for someone to sue a manufacturer, this means that both parties had to engage in a contract. But this case resulted in consumers being able to sue manufacturers even if they did not engage in a contract directly with them. Actually, how many of us buy things directly from a manufacturer? We generally buy goods from retailers, and that is the reason why this case was so important.