59 Cal. 2d 57, 377 P.2d 897 (Cal. 1963)
Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, Inc.
Can a manufacturer be held strictly liable in tort for a defective product that causes injury to the user?
A manufacturer is strictly liable in tort when an article he places on the market, knowing that it is to be used without inspection for defects, proves to have a defect that causes injury to a human being.
Yes, the Supreme Court of California held that a manufacturer can be held strictly liable in tort for personal injuries caused by defects in the product it sells, regardless of the manufacturer's level of care.
Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, Inc. is significant because it fundamentally changed the way product liability was viewed and served as a precursor for the widespread adoption of strict liability in product liability cases across various jurisdictions. This case reduced the burden on consumers to litigate product claims effectively by removing the necessity to prove negligence, enhancing consumer protection, and promoting corporate accountability for product safety.