Sparks v. Owens-Illinois, Inc.
Court of Appeals of California
38 Cal. Rptr. 2d 739 (1995)
Relevant factsFree
Charles Sparks (plaintiff) developed mesothelioma from prolonged exposure to Owens-Illinois's (defendant) asbestos-containing Kaylo insulation while decommissioning a Navy ship; the jury, instructed to apply the consumer-expectations test, found Owens-Illinois 100% liable for his injuries.
IssueFree
Whether, under the consumer-expectations test, a manufacturer may be held strictly liable for products liability based on a design defect that caused the product to fail to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect when the product is used in an intended or reasonably foreseeable manner.