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Simple English definitions for legal terms
danger-utility test
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A quick definition of danger-utility test:
Danger-Utility Test: A way to hold a manufacturer responsible for a product's safety. If it is shown that a reasonable person would think that the benefits of a product's design are not worth the risks, the manufacturer can be held liable. This test compares the benefits of the product's design to the feasibility of a safer alternative design. It is also called the risk-utility test or risk-benefit test.
A more thorough explanation:
The danger-utility test, also known as the risk-utility test, is a method used to determine product liability for manufacturers. It involves weighing the benefits of a product's design against the feasibility of an alternative, safer design, and determining if the dangers inherent in the original design outweigh the benefits.
- A car manufacturer designs a car with a gas tank located in a vulnerable position, making it more likely to explode in a collision. The danger-utility test would consider if the benefits of this design, such as increased fuel efficiency, outweigh the risks of injury or death in the event of a collision.
- A toy manufacturer creates a toy with small parts that could be a choking hazard for young children. The danger-utility test would consider if the benefits of the toy, such as entertainment value, outweigh the risks of harm to children.
These examples illustrate how the danger-utility test is used to determine if a product's design is unreasonably dangerous and if the manufacturer should be held liable for any resulting harm.