Michigan
How Barker v. Lull Engineering Co., Inc. applies in Michigan: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Torts (Products Liability).
Michigan follows the principles established in Barker v. Lull Engineering, particularly concerning products liability claims based on design defects. The state acknowledges the consumer expectation standard along with the risk-utility analysis.
In Michigan, a product is deemed defectively designed if it is unreasonably dangerous to the consumer under the circumstances, evaluating both the consumer's expectations and the product's utility against its risks.
The Michigan Supreme Court held that ordinary consumer expectations can be a valid basis for determining design defects.
The court ruled that the risk-utility test applies in assessing design defects, influencing how manufacturers address safety.
This case reinforced the notion that a product's design must provide a reasonable level of safety as perceived by users.
Michigan law aligns closely with the principles of strict liability established under the Restatement (Second) of Torts, similar to federal standards. However, Michigan's greater emphasis on the consumer expectation test provides a more user-centered framework compared to some federal interpretations that may lean more towards a risk-utility analysis.
Barker v. Lull Engineering is often referenced in Michigan bar exams concerning products liability, particularly in analyzing design defect claims.