Maryland Product Liability Law

Second Edition

Table of Contents

Part I: The Legal Ground Rules

Chapter One

Strict Liability in Tort: The Dominant Theory

 

I.

     [§ 1.1]

MARYLAND LAW: THE ELEMENTS OF STRICT
LIABILITY ................................................................................... 3

A.

     [§ 1.2]

The Sale of a Product...................................................................... 4

B.

     [§ 1.3]

In a Defective Condition.................................................................. 6

1.

          [§ 1.4]

Manufacture ............................................................................. 7

2.

          [§ 1.5]

Design ...................................................................................... 7

a.    [§ 1.6]  Consumer expectations test................................................................... 10

b.    [§ 1.7]  Risk/utility test...........................................................................     13

3.

          [§ 1.8]

Warnings ................................................................................ 15

C.

     [§ 1.9]

Which is Unreasonably Dangerous................................................. 16

D.

     [§ 1.10]

When It Leaves the Hands of the Defendant................................... 18

E.

     [§ 1.11]

Which is the Proximate Cause........................................................ 19

F.

     [§ 1.12]

Of the Plaintiff’s Injury................................................................... 20

II.

     [§ 1.13]

STRICT LIABILITY FOR MISREPRESENTATION .............. 21

III.

     [§ 1.14]

STRICT LIABILITY FOR NON-DEFECTIVE
PRODUCTS ................................................................................ 22

IV.

     [§ 1.15]

RESTATEMENT (THIRD) OF TORTS: PRODUCTS
LIABILITY ................................................................................. 22

A.

     [§ 1.16]

The Sale of a Product.................................................................... 24

B.

     [§ 1.17]

Product Defect.............................................................................. 25

C.

     [§ 1.18]

Post-Sale Duty to Warn................................................................. 26

D.

     [§ 1.19]

The Plaintiff’s Injury....................................................................... 26

E.

     [§ 1.20]

Misrepresentation.......................................................................... 26

Chapter Two

Other Theories of Liability

I.

     [§ 2.1]

NEGLIGENCE ............................................................................ 29

A.

     [§ 2.2]

Duty.............................................................................................. 29

B.

     [§ 2.3]

The Latent-Patent Distinction......................................................... 33

C.

     [§ 2.4]

Res Ipsa Loquitur.......................................................................... 34


II.

     [§ 2.5]

WARRANTIES ........................................................................... 37

A.

     [§ 2.6]

Sales v. Service............................................................................. 39

1.

          [§ 2.7]

Maryland law ......................................................................... 39

2.

          [§ 2.8]

Express warranty .................................................................... 44

B.

     [§ 2.9]

Implied Warranty of Merchantability.............................................. 46

1.

          [§ 2.10]

Merchant of goods ................................................................. 46

2.

          [§ 2.11]

Merchantable at time of sale ................................................... 47

3.

          [§ 2.12]

Injury ..................................................................................... 48

4.

          [§ 2.13]

Proximate cause ..................................................................... 48

5.

          [§ 2.14]

Notice to seller ....................................................................... 49

C.

     [§ 2.15]

Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose...................... 49

III.

     [§ 2.16]

FAILURE TO WARN ................................................................. 52

A.

     [§ 2.17]

Strict Liability................................................................................ 55

1.

          [§ 2.18]

Causation ............................................................................... 56

2.

          [§ 2.19]

Latent-patent distinction .......................................................... 57

3.

          [§ 2.20]

Knowledge of the defendant ................................................... 58

4.

          [§ 2.21]

Comparison with negligence .................................................... 60

B.

     [§ 2.22]

Negligence.................................................................................... 62

1.

          [§ 2.23]

Supplier’s knowledge of danger .............................................. 63

2.

          [§ 2.24]

Latent danger ......................................................................... 64

3.

          [§ 2.25]

Reasonable care ..................................................................... 64

4.

          [§ 2.26]

Causation ............................................................................... 66

C.

     [§ 2.27]

Warranties..................................................................................... 66

D.

Special Rules.............................................................................................. 68

1.

          [§ 2.28]

The learned intermediary ......................................................... 68

2.

          [§ 2.29]

Bulk supplier/sophisticated user .............................................. 69

3.

          [§ 2.30]

Statutes .................................................................................. 72

IV.

STATUTORY CAUSES OF ACTION ................................................... 72

A.

Federal....................................................................................................... 72

1.

          [§ 2.31]

Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act
(“Magnuson‑Moss Warranty Act”) ......................................... 72

2.

          [§ 2.32]

Consumer Product Safety Act (“CPSA”) ................................ 73

B.

     [§ 2.33]

Maryland....................................................................................... 75

V.

     [§ 2.34]

MISREPRESENTATION ........................................................... 76

A.

     [§ 2.35]

Negligent Misrepresentation........................................................... 77

B.

     [§ 2.36]

Fraud............................................................................................ 78

1.

          [§ 2.37]

Deceit .................................................................................... 78

2.

          [§ 2.38]

Concealment .......................................................................... 78



VI.

NON-IDENTIFICATION THEORIES ................................................. 79

A.

     [§ 2.39]

Introduction................................................................................... 79

B.

     [§ 2.40]

Maryland’s Response.................................................................... 79

VII.

     [§ 2.41]

THE ENHANCED INJURY CASE ............................................ 82

A.

     [§ 2.42]

Development of the Crashworthiness Doctrine................................ 83

B.

     [§ 2.43]

Scope of Legal Duty in Maryland................................................... 84

C.

     [§ 2.44]

Duty to Bystanders........................................................................ 86

D.

     [§ 2.45]

The Use of Seatbelts...................................................................... 86

E.

     [§ 2.46]

Unique Proof Requirements........................................................... 88

VIII.

     [§ 2.47]

 CHOOSING THE RIGHT THEORY ........................................ 92

Chapter Three

The Plaintiffs

I.

     [§ 3.1]

STRICT LIABILITY IN TORT ................................................. 95

II.

     [§ 3.2]

STRICT LIABILITY FOR MISREPRESENTATION .............. 95

III.

     [§ 3.3]

NEGLIGENCE ............................................................................ 95

IV.

     [§ 3.4]

MISREPRESENTATION ........................................................... 96

V.

     [§ 3.5]

WARRANTY ............................................................................... 96

VI.

STATUTORY CAUSES OF ACTION ................................................... 97

A.

     [§ 3.6]

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act...................................................... 97

B.

     [§ 3.7]

Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).......................................... 98

C.

     [§ 3.8]

Maryland Consumer Protection Act (MCPA)................................ 98

D.

     [§ 3.9]

Maryland Consumer Product Guaranty Act (MCPGA).................. 98

Chapter Four

The Defendants

I.

     [§ 4.1]

MANUFACTURER .................................................................. 101

II.

     [§ 4.2]

COMPONENT MANUFACTURER ........................................ 102

III.

     [§ 4.3]

SELLER OF USED PRODUCTS ............................................. 103

IV.

     [§ 4.4]

SELLER OF RECONDITIONED PRODUCTS ...................... 103

V.

     [§ 4.5]

REPAIRERS ............................................................................. 104

VI.

     [§ 4.6]

IMPORTER .............................................................................. 104

VII.

     [§ 4.7]

WHOLESALER, DISTRIBUTORS & RETAILERS .............. 105


VIII.

     [§ 4.8]

LESSORS AND BAILORS ....................................................... 106

IX.

     [§ 4.9]

LICENSOR/FRANCHISOR ..................................................... 107

X.

     [§ 4.10]

PUTATIVE OWNER ................................................................ 109

XI.

     [§ 4.11]

ENDORSER .............................................................................. 109

XII.

     [§ 4.12]

COMMERCIAL PURCHASER ............................................... 110

XIII.

     [§ 4.13]

SUCCESSOR MANUFACTURER ........................................... 111

XIV.

     [§ 4.14]

THE DUAL CAPACITY DOCTRINE ..................................... 112

Chapter Five

Universal Elements of Proof

I.

     [§ 5.1]

IDENTITY OF SELLER OR MANUFACTURER .................. 117

II.

     [§ 5.2]

TYING DEFECT TO TIME OF SALE OR DISTRIBUTION 117

III.

EVIDENCE OF DEFECT ..................................................................... 118

A.

     [§ 5.3]

Direct Evidence of Precise Defect Usually Required..................... 118

B.

     [§ 5.4]

When Circumstantial Evidence of Defect May Suffice................... 122

C.

     [§ 5.5]

Potential Sources of Proof of Defect............................................ 123

1.

          [§ 5.6]

Physical and chemical qualities .............................................. 123

2.

          [§ 5.7]

Surrounding circumstances .................................................... 124

3.

          [§ 5.8]

Standards, regulations and statutory compliance .................... 125

4.

          [§ 5.9]

Modifications and repairs ...................................................... 126

5.

          [§ 5.10]

Recall data ........................................................................... 127

IV.

     [§ 5.11]

CAUSATION ............................................................................ 127

A.

     [§ 5.12]

In Fact........................................................................................ 128

B.

     [§ 5.13]

In Law........................................................................................ 131

C.

     [§ 5.14]

Intervening, Superseding Cause.................................................... 132

Chapter Six

Defenses Raised on Preliminary Motion

I.

     [§ 6.1]

PERSONAL JURISDICTION .................................................. 139

A.

Constitutional Considerations.................................................................... 140

1.

          [§ 6.2]

Personal jurisdiction in products liability before
World-Wide Volkswagen ..................................................... 140

2.

          [§ 6.3]

World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson ....................... 141

3.

          [§ 6.4]

General jurisdiction v. specific jurisdiction .............................. 142

4.

          [§ 6.5]

Asahi ................................................................................... 143



B.

     [§ 6.6]

Maryland State Law.................................................................... 145

C.

     [§ 6.7]

Maryland Federal Cases.............................................................. 148

II.

SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION ............................................... 149

A.

     [§ 6.8]

Maryland Law............................................................................. 149

B.

     [§ 6.9]

Federal Law................................................................................ 149

III.

SERVICE OF PROCESS ...................................................................... 150

IV.

VENUE ................................................................................................... 151

A.

     [§ 6.10]

Maryland Law............................................................................. 151

V.

FORUM NON CONVENIENS ............................................................ 152

A.

     [§ 6.11]

Maryland Law............................................................................. 153

B.

     [§ 6.12]

Federal Applications.................................................................... 153

VI.

REMOVAL ............................................................................................ 155

A.

     [§ 6.13]

Maryland‑Removal from County to County.................................. 155

B.

Removal from State to Federal Court........................................................ 156

1.

          [§ 6.14]

Generally .............................................................................. 156

2.

          [§ 6.15]

Removal procedure .............................................................. 156

3.

          [§ 6.16]

Right to removal ................................................................... 158

VII.

     [§ 6.17]

CHOICE OF LAW .................................................................... 160

A.

     [§ 6.18]

Constitutional Restraints on Choice of Law................................... 160

B.

Maryland Choice of Law Provisions.......................................................... 161

1.

          [§ 6.19]

Tort causes of action ............................................................ 161

2.

          [§ 6.20]

Contract causes of action and breach of warranty .................. 163

3.

          [§ 6.21]

Renvoi ................................................................................. 163

Chapter Seven

Substantive Defenses

I.

     [§ 7.1]

ASSUMPTION OF RISK ......................................................... 167

A.

     [§ 7.2]

The Defense Generally................................................................. 167

B.

     [§ 7.3]

Compared with Contributory Negligence...................................... 168

C.

     [§ 7.4]

The Primary/Secondary Categories Rejected................................ 169

D.

     [§ 7.5]

The Elements of the Defense........................................................ 170

1.

          [§ 7.6]

Knowledge of the risk .......................................................... 170

2.

          [§ 7.7]

Appreciation of the risk ........................................................ 171

3.

          [§ 7.8]

Voluntarily confronting the risk .............................................. 171

E.

     [§ 7.9]

The Defense in Products Liability Actions..................................... 172



II.

CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE ..................................................... 174

A.

     [§ 7.10]

Generally..................................................................................... 174

B.

     [§ 7.11]

Elements of the Contributory Negligence Defense......................... 175

C.

     [§ 7.12]

Exception.................................................................................... 175

D.

Application to Maryland Products Liability Actions.................................... 176

1.

          [§ 7.13]

Negligence theory ................................................................. 176

2.

          [§ 7.14]

Strict liability theory .............................................................. 177

3.

          [§ 7.15]

Breach of warranty theory .................................................... 177

III.

     [§ 7.16]

MISUSE ..................................................................................... 178

IV.

     [§ 7.17]

ALTERATION .......................................................................... 182

V.

SPOLIATION ........................................................................................ 184

A.

     [§ 7.18]

Maryland State Cases.................................................................. 184

B.

     [§ 7.19]

Federal Cases............................................................................. 186

VI.

     [§ 7.20]

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR DEFENSE ......................... 188

A.

     [§ 7.21]

Elements...................................................................................... 188

1.

          [§ 7.22]

Government‑approved, reasonably precise specifications ...... 190

2.

          [§ 7.23]

Compliance with specifications .............................................. 192

3.

          [§ 7.24]

Relative knowledge of danger ............................................... 193

B.

     [§ 7.25]

Application of the Defense........................................................... 193

C.

     [§ 7.26]

Rationale for the Defense............................................................. 194

VII.

     [§ 7.27]

BLOOD SHIELD STATUTES ................................................. 195

VIII.

     [§ 7.28]

UNAVOIDABLY UNSAFE PRODUCTS ................................. 195

IX.

     [§ 7.29]

SEALED CONTAINER DEFENSE .......................................... 197

X.

     [§ 7.30]

STATE OF THE ART ............................................................... 198

XI.

PREEMPTION ...................................................................................... 202

A.

     [§ 7.31]

In General................................................................................... 202

B.

     [§ 7.32]

Maryland State Cases.................................................................. 203

C.

     [§ 7.33]

Federal Cases............................................................................. 204

XI.

     [§ 7.34]

ALLERGY/IDIOSYNCRASY ................................................... 208

Chapter Eight

Technical Defenses

I.

UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE ................................................... 213

A.

     [§ 8.1]

Notice of Breach ........................................................................ 213

1.

          [§ 8.2]

By whom ............................................................................. 213


2.

          [§ 8.3]

To Whom ............................................................................ 214

3.

          [§ 8.4]

Timeliness ............................................................................ 214

4.

          [§ 8.5]

Form/content/sufficiency ....................................................... 215

B.

     [§ 8.6]

Wrongful Death Applicability....................................................... 215

C.

Disclaimer of Liability................................................................................ 216

1.

          [§ 8.7]

Generally .............................................................................. 216

2.

          [§ 8.8]

Consumer sales .................................................................... 217

3.

          [§ 8.9]

Commercial sales ................................................................. 218

4.

          [§ 8.10]

“As is” ................................................................................. 219

D.

     [§ 8.11]

Privity.......................................................................................... 220

1.

          [§ 8.12]

Corporate defendants ........................................................... 221

2.

          [§ 8.13]

Economic losses ................................................................... 221

E.

     [§ 8.14]

Limitation of Remedy................................................................... 222

1.

          [§ 8.15]

Consumer applications .......................................................... 222

2.

          [§ 8.16]

 Non-consumer applications ................................................. 223

II.

STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS .......................................................... 224

A.

     [§ 8.17]

U.C.C. — Warranty.................................................................... 224

1.

          [§ 8.18]

Accrual ................................................................................ 225

2.

          [§ 8.19]

Section 2-725(3) .................................................................. 226

3.

          [§ 8.20]

Future performance .............................................................. 226

B.

     [§ 8.21]

Torts........................................................................................... 226

1.

          [§ 8.22]

Applicable statutes of limitation ............................................. 227

2.

          [§ 8.23]

Tolling provisions .................................................................. 228

3.

          [§ 8.24]

Denial of limitations defense .................................................. 228

4.

          [§ 8.25]

Accrual: Maturation of harm, continuing events and the
discovery rule ....................................................................... 229

5.

          [§ 8.26]

Forum shopping curtailed ...................................................... 233

C.

     [§ 8.27]

Statutes of Repose....................................................................... 234

III.

     [§ 8.28]

COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL .................................................... 234

Chapter Nine

Class Action Litigation

I.

     [§ 9.1]

THE CONCEPT OF THE MODERN CLASS ACTION ......... 239

II.

     [§ 9.2]

PREREQUISITES TO A CLASS ACTION ............................. 239

A.

     [§ 9.3]

Numerosity.................................................................................. 241

B.

     [§ 9.4]

Commonality............................................................................... 242

C.

     [§ 9.5]

Typicality..................................................................................... 244


D.

     [§ 9.6]

Adequacy of Representation........................................................ 245

III.

     [§ 9.7]

CLASS ACTIONS MAINTAINABLE ..................................... 246

A.

     [§ 9.8]

Md. Rule 2-231(b)(1) — Effect on Parties if a Class Were
Not Certified............................................................................... 246

B.

     [§ 9.9]

Md. Rule 2-231(b)(2) — Class Actions for Injunctive Relief........ 247

C.

     [§ 9.10]

Md. Rule 2-231(b)(3) — Where Common Issues Predominate
and Class Action is Superior Method of Adjudication ..................  248

D.

     [§ 9.11]

Important Differences between (b)(3) Classes and
Other Categories......................................................................... 251

IV.

     [§ 9.12]

CERTIFICATION .................................................................... 251

V.

     [§ 9.13]

PARTIAL CLASS ACTIONS; SUBCLASSES ......................... 252

VI.

     [§ 9.14]

NOTICE .................................................................................... 253

VII.

     [§ 9.15]

ORDERS IN CONDUCT OF ACTIONS ................................. 254

VIII.

     [§ 9.16]

DISCOVERY ............................................................................. 254

IX.

     [§ 9.17]

DISMISSAL OR COMPROMISE ........................................... 255

X.

     [§ 9.18]

JUDGMENT ............................................................................. 256

XI.

     [§ 9.19]

APPEAL OF CLASS ACTION DECISIONS ........................... 256

Chapter Ten

Damages

I.

     [§ 10.1]

COMPENSATORY DAMAGES .............................................. 261

II.

     [§ 10.2]

ECONOMIC LOSS vs. PERSONAL INJURY/PROPERTY
DAMAGE .................................................................................. 265

III.

DAMAGES FOR NON-PHYSICAL OR NOT YET
MANIFEST INJURIES ........................................................................ 270

A.

     [§ 10.3]

General Principles........................................................................ 270

B.

     [§ 10.4]

Damages in Products Liability Actions.......................................... 271

1.

          [§ 10.5]

Increased risk of future injury ................................................ 272

2.

          [§ 10.6]

Fear of future injury .............................................................. 272

3.

          [§ 10.7]

Medical monitoring ............................................................... 273

IV.

PUNITIVE DAMAGES ........................................................................ 275

A.

     [§ 10.8]

The Purpose of Punitive Damages................................................ 275

B.

     [§ 10.9]

Requests for Punitive Damage Awards......................................... 276

C.

     [§ 10.10]

Size of the Award........................................................................ 277

D.

     [§ 10.11]

Governing Standard..................................................................... 280


E.

Constitutional Challenges to Punitive Damages Awards.............................. 283

1.

          [§ 10.12]

Federal constitutional standard and related
Maryland decisions ............................................................. 283

2.

          [§ 10.13]

Fourth Circuit opinions citing BMW ..................................... 294

F.

     [§ 10.14]

Review of Punitive Awards and Right to a Jury Trial:
Federal and Maryland Cases....................................................... 295

V.

     [§ 10.15]

MARYLAND’S DAMAGE CAP .............................................. 299

A.

     [§ 10.16]

Constitutionality........................................................................... 301

B.

     [§ 10.17]

Nature and Applicability of Statutory Cap.................................... 302

Chapter Eleven

Settlements/Joint Tortfeasors

I.

     [§ 11.1]

PURPOSES TO BE ACHIEVED IN A RELEASE .................. 307

A.

     [§ 11.2]

Plaintiff........................................................................................ 307

B.

     [§ 11.3]

Defendant.................................................................................... 307

C.

     [§ 11.4]

Both Parties................................................................................. 308

II.

     [§ 11.5]

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND — THE COMMON
LAW RULE ............................................................................... 308

III.

PARTIES INVOLVED IN RELEASE ................................................. 309

A.

     [§ 11.6]

“Persons”.................................................................................... 309

B.

     [§ 11.7]

Corporations............................................................................... 309

C.

     [§ 11.8]

Minors........................................................................................ 309

D.

     [§ 11.9]

Incompetents............................................................................... 310

IV.

RELEASES IN TORT CASES ............................................................. 310

A.

     [§ 11.10]

Joint — Tortfeasors Act (“Act”) .................................................  310

B.

     [§ 11.11]

What is a “Release” Under the Act............................................... 312

C.

     [§ 11.12]

What Causes of Action Fall Under the Act................................... 313

D.

Joint Tortfeasor Status under the Act......................................................... 314

1.

          [§ 11.13]

The “Swigert problem” ........................................................ 314

2.

          [§ 11.14]

A partial solution — Jones v. Hurst ...................................... 315

3.

          [§ 11.15]

Tactical considerations ........................................................ 316

4.

          [§ 11.16]

Effect of no liability finding for settling defendant ................... 316

5.

          [§ 11.17]

Vicarious liability among settling defendants .......................... 318

6.

          [§ 11.18]

Default judgments ................................................................ 318

7.

          [§ 11.19]

Effect of defenses on joint tortfeasor status ........................... 319

8.

          [§ 11.20]

Indemnity ............................................................................ 322


E.

     [§ 11.21]

Meaning of “Pro Rata Share” under the Act................................. 323

F.

     [§ 11.22]

General Releases under the Act.................................................... 325

G.

     [§ 11.23]

Separate and Independent Torts under the Act............................. 326

H.

     [§ 11.24]

Subsequent Tortfeasors under the Act.......................................... 328

I.

     [§ 11.25]

“Known and Unknown” Injuries Under the Act............................ 331

J.

     [§ 11.26]

Subrogation Rights....................................................................... 332

K.

     [§ 11.27]

Effect of Satisfaction of Judgment................................................. 332

L.

     [§ 11.28]

Punitive Damages........................................................................ 334

V.

     [§ 11.29]

VALIDITY OF RELEASES ...................................................... 335

VI.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING JOINT-TORTFEASOR
CREDITS ............................................................................................... 337

A.

     [§ 11.30]

Timing......................................................................................... 337

B.

     [§ 11.31]

Motion for Contribution — No Need for Cross-Claim................. 337

C.

     [§ 11.32]

Discovery of Confidential Settlement Agreements......................... 339

VII.

ADMISSIBILITY OF SETTLEMENT AT TRIAL ............................ 341

A.

     [§ 11.33]

Maryland State Courts................................................................. 341

B.

     [§ 11.34]

Maryland Federal Courts............................................................. 342

C.

     [§ 11.35]

Use of Claim as Admission.......................................................... 342

VIII. 

     [§ 11.36]

 MARY CARTER AGREEMENTS .......................................... 343

A.

     [§ 11.37]

Elements of a Mary Carter Agreement......................................... 343

B.

     [§ 11.38]

Tactical Considerations of Mary Carter Agreements..................... 346

Part II: Preparing Your Case —
Investigation and Discovery

Chapter Twelve

The Plaintiff’s Side

I.

     [§ 12.1]

EVALUATING THE CLAIM ................................................... 349

A.

     [§ 12.2]

Interview the Plaintiff:................................................................... 349

1.

          [§ 12.3]

Evaluate the plaintiff as a witness ........................................... 349

2.

          [§ 12.4]

Understand what happened in the occurrence, and why ......... 351

3.

          [§ 12.5]

Learn the history, usage and condition of the product ............. 352

4.

          [§ 12.6]

Obtain leads for pursuit of additional information ................... 354

B.

Obtain Information from Outside Sources.................................................. 355

1.

          [§ 12.7]

Government sources ............................................................. 355

2.

          [§ 12.8]

Other counsel ....................................................................... 355


3.

          [§ 12.9]

Secure the product ............................................................... 356

4.

          [§ 12.10]

Consult with experts ............................................................ 357

5.

          [§ 12.11]

Interview key witnesses ....................................................... 357

6.

          [§ 12.12]

Consult outside sources of information ................................. 357

7.

          [§ 12.13]

Prepare a list of target defendants, determine in advance
that they are viable entities, and ascertain all facts
necessary to securing the best possible venue ....................... 361

8.

          [§ 12.14]

Make a projection of the expected costs of proceeding ........ 362

C.

     [§ 12.15]

The Decision to Sue..................................................................... 362

D.

     [§ 12.16]

Selecting the Theory.................................................................... 363

E.

     [§ 12.17]

Which Parties to Name as Defendants.......................................... 364

F.

     [§ 12.18]

Drafting the Complaint................................................................. 365

Chapter Thirteen

The Defendant’s Side

I.

     [§ 13.1]

ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINT ........................................ 369

II.

THE RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT .......................................... 371

A.

     [§ 13.2]

Preliminary Motions..................................................................... 371

B.

     [§ 13.3]

Selection of Applicable Defenses................................................. 372

C.

     [§ 13.4]

Drafting an Answer...................................................................... 373

D.

     [§ 13.5]

Amendments............................................................................... 374

III.

CROSS-CLAIMS AND THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS ........................... 375

A.

     [§ 13.6]

Tactical Considerations................................................................ 375

B.

     [§ 13.7]

The Voucher Consideration......................................................... 375

IV.

     [§ 13.8]

PLANNING FOR DISCOVERY ............................................... 376

V.

     [§ 13.9]

EDUCATING YOURSELF ON YOUR CLIENT’S
PRODUCT ................................................................................ 378

A.

     [§ 13.10]

Technical Understanding of the Product........................................ 378

B.

     [§ 13.11]

Historical Development of the Product......................................... 379

C.

     [§ 13.12]

Claim History.............................................................................. 380

D.

     [§ 13.13]

Applicable Warranties and Warnings............................................ 380

E.

     [§ 13.14]

Chain of Distribution.................................................................... 380



Chapter Fourteen

Investigation

I.

REPORTS, INTERVIEWS AND STATEMENTS ............................. 385

A.

     [§ 14.1]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 385

B.

     [§ 14.2]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 386

II.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIAGRAMS ................................................. 388

A.

     [§ 14.3]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 388

B.

     [§ 14.4]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 388

III.

PRESERVING THE EVIDENCE ........................................................ 389

A.

     [§ 14.5]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 389

B.

     [§ 14.6]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 392

Chapter Fifteen

The Expert Witness

I.

     [§ 15.1]

NEED FOR EXPERT ................................................................ 401

II.

SELECTION OF THE EXPERT .......................................................... 405

A.

     [§ 15.2]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 405

B.

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................................ 409

1.

          [§ 15.3]

The Paramount Consideration: The admissibility and
strength of the expert’s opinions necessary to prove the
case-in-chief and to respond to anticipated defenses .............. 409

2.

          [§ 15.4]

Other considerations ............................................................. 413

III.

RETENTION OF THE EXPERT ......................................................... 414

A.

     [§ 15.5]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 414

B.

     [§ 15.6]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 416

IV.

EXPERT REPORTS ............................................................................. 417

A.

     [§ 15.7]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 417

B.

     [§ 15.8]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 418

V.

     [§ 15.9]

STANDARDS GOVERNING THE ADMISSIBILITY OF
EXPERT TESTIMONY IN MARYLAND ............................... 419

A.

     [§ 15.10]

State Cases................................................................................. 419

1.

          [§ 15.11]

Qualifications ...................................................................... 420

2.

          [§ 15.12]

Basis for opinion ................................................................. 422

3.

          [§ 15.13]

Methodology — The Frye-Reed Test .................................. 426


B.

Federal Cases.......................................................................................... 430

1.

          [§ 15.14]

Qualifications ...................................................................... 430

2.

          [§ 15.15]

Relevance and reliability ...................................................... 432

Chapter Sixteen

Discovery

I.

ITS PROPER ROLE ............................................................................. 441

A.

Your Overall Plan..................................................................................... 441

1.

          [§ 16.1]

Defendant’s perspective ....................................................... 441

2.

          [§ 16.2]

Plaintiff’s perspective ............................................................ 441

B.

Interrogatories.......................................................................................... 447

1.

          [§ 16.3]

Defendant’s perspective ....................................................... 447

2.

          [§ 16.4]

Plaintiff’s perspective ............................................................ 448

C.

Document Requests.................................................................................. 455

1.

          [§ 16.5]

Defendant’s perspective ....................................................... 455

2.

          [§ 16.6]

Plaintiff’s perspective ............................................................ 456

D.

Requests for Admissions........................................................................... 461

1.

          [§ 16.7]

Defendant’s perspective ....................................................... 461

2.

          [§ 16.8]

Plaintiff’s perspective: Categories of requests ........................ 462

E.

     [§ 16.9]

Protective Orders........................................................................ 462

1.

          [§ 16.10]

Maryland law ...................................................................... 463

2.

          [§ 16.11]

Federal rules ....................................................................... 466

3.

          [§ 16.12]

Constitutional implications .................................................... 467

F.

Right to Inspect Property, Conduct Physical and Medical
Examinations............................................................................................ 469

1.

          [§ 16.13]

Defendant’s perspective ...................................................... 469

2.

          [§ 16.14]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 470

II.

PREPARING YOUR CLIENT FOR DEPOSITION .......................... 470

A.

     [§ 16.15]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 470

B.

     [§ 16.16]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 471

1.

          [§ 16.17]

General ............................................................................... 471

2.

          [§ 16.18]

The product, claims and defenses ........................................ 474

III.

     [§ 16.19]

PREPARING YOUR EXPERT FOR DEPOSITION ............... 475

A.

     [§ 16.20]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 475

B.

     [§ 16.21]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 476

IV.

DEPOSING YOUR OPPONENT’S EXPERT ..................................... 478

A.

     [§ 16.22]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 478


1.

          [§ 16.23]

Preparation of the deposition notice — generally .................. 478

2.

          [§ 16.24]

Taking the deposition .......................................................... 479

B.

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................................ 485

1.

          [§ 16.25]

Prior to the deposition ......................................................... 485

2.

          [§ 16.26]

Notice of Deposition Duces Tecum ..................................... 487

3.

          [§ 16.27]

Taking the deposition .......................................................... 488

Part III: The Product on Trial

Chapter Seventeen

The Pretrial Phase

I.

FINAL ANALYSIS ................................................................................ 497

A.

     [§ 17.1]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 497

B.

     [§ 17.2]

Plaintiff’s Perspective: The Final Checklist.................................... 497

II.

STIPULATIONS OF FACT, REQUESTS FOR ADMISSIONS ....... 499

A.

     [§ 17.3]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 499

B.

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................................ 500

1.

          [§ 17.4]

Are any stipulations mandatory? ............................................ 500

2.

          [§ 17.5]

Plaintiff’s requested stipulations ............................................. 502

III.

PRETRIAL CONFERENCES AND ORDERS .................................. 502

A.

     [§ 17.6]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 502

1.

          [§ 17.7]

State rule .............................................................................. 503

2.

          [§ 17.8]

Federal rule .......................................................................... 503

B.

     [§ 17.9]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 504

IV.

THE LEGAL BRIEF ............................................................................. 504

A.

     [§ 17.10]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 504

B.

     [§ 17.11]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 505

V.

CONSOLIDATION .............................................................................. 506

A.

Defendant’s Perspective........................................................................... 506

1.

          [§ 17.12]

For trial ............................................................................... 506

2.

          [§ 17.13]

For pretrial proceedings ...................................................... 507

B.

     [§ 17.14]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 508

VI.

BIFURCATION .................................................................................... 508

A.

     [§ 17.15]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 508

1.

          [§ 17.16]

Maryland state courts .......................................................... 509

2.

          [§ 17.17]

Federal courts ..................................................................... 509


B.

     [§ 17.18]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 511

1.

          [§ 17.19]

Class action issue separation ................................................ 512

Chapter Eighteen

Motions in Limine

I.

STRATEGY AND TIMING ................................................................. 517

A.

     [§ 18.1]

Introduction — Plaintiff’s Perspective........................................... 517

B.

     [§ 18.2]

Introduction — Defense Perspective............................................ 517

C.

     [§ 18.3]

Maryland State Courts................................................................. 518

D.

     [§ 18.4]

Maryland Federal Courts............................................................. 518

II.

“TOP TEN” IN LIMINE ISSUES ....................................................... 518

A.

Speculative or Unqualified Expert Opinions............................................... 518

1.

          [§ 18.5]

Plaintiff’s perspective ............................................................ 518

2.

          [§ 18.6]

Defendant’s perspective ....................................................... 522

B.

Other Complaints or Events...................................................................... 545

1.

          [§ 18.7]

Admissibility of other complaints or events —
Plaintiff’s perspective ............................................................ 545

2.

          [§ 18.8]

Admissibility of other complaints or events —
Defense perspective ............................................................. 555

3.

          [§ 18.9]

Absence of other complaints — Plaintiff’s perspective ........... 559

4.

          [§ 18.10]

Absence of other complaints — Defense perspective ........... 562

C.

Government or Agency Reports................................................................ 564

1.

          [§ 18.11]

Plantiff’s perspective ........................................................... 564

2.

          [§ 18.12]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 573

D.

Subsequent Remedial Measures/Recalls/ Design Changes.......................... 579

1.

          [§ 18.13]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 579

2.

          [§ 18.14]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 593

E.

Testing, in Court Demonstrations, or Other Demonstrative Evidence Relied on by Experts 598

1.

          [§ 18.15]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 598

2.

          [§ 18.16]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 601

F.

Compliance with Government Standards or Regulations............................. 613

1.

          [§ 18.17]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 613

2.

          [§ 18.18]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 619

G. 

Publicity/Media Reports............................................................................ 621

1.

          [§ 18.19]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 621

2.

          [§ 18.20]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 622



H.

Parties’ Testimony/Admissions in Other Cases/Statements of
Related Non-Parties................................................................................. 624

1.

          [§ 18.21]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 624

2.

          [§ 18.22]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 624

I.

Testing by Non-Parties, Patents or Articles “Relied on” by Experts............ 626

1.

          [§ 18.23]

Defense perspective ............................................................ 626

J.

Inflammatory and Prejudicial Exhibits........................................................ 632

1.

          [§ 18.24]

Plaintiff’s perspective ........................................................... 632

2.

          [§ 18.25]

Defendant’s perspective ...................................................... 636

Chapter Nineteen

The Trial

I.

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 641

A.

     [§ 19.1]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 641

B.

     [§ 19.2]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 641

II.

VOIR DIRE ........................................................................................... 641

A.

Legal Parameters...................................................................................... 641

1.

          [§ 19.3]

Types of challenges .............................................................. 641

2.

          [§ 19.4]

The conduct of voir dire ........................................................ 643

3.

          [§ 19.5]

Federal rule .......................................................................... 646

B.

     [§ 19.6]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 646

C.

     [§ 19.7]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 650

1.

          [§ 19.8]

Facts of case ........................................................................ 651

2.

          [§ 19.9]

Bias, prejudice, sympathy, pre-formed opinions .................... 652

3.

          [§ 19.10]

The nature of the injuries sustained ....................................... 654

4.

          [§ 19.11]

Legal issues/defenses/burdens of proof ................................ 655

III.

OPENING STATEMENT .................................................................... 655

A.

     [§ 19.12]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 655

B.

     [§ 19.13]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 657

1.

          [§ 19.14]

Prior to opening .................................................................. 657

2.

          [§ 19.15]

The opening ........................................................................ 658

IV.

PLAINTIFF’S EVIDENCE ................................................................... 662

A.

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................................ 662

1.

          [§ 19.16]

Making sure there is a case: Holding the experts in ............... 662

2.

          [§ 19.17]

Making sure that key evidence will come in .......................... 662

3.

          [§ 19.18]

Order witnesses and evidence effectively ............................. 663

B.

     [§ 19.19]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 664



V.

DEFENDANT’S CASE ......................................................................... 666

A.

     [§ 19.20]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 666

B.

     [§ 19.21]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 666

VI.

DIRECT EXAMINATION OF YOUR EXPERT ................................ 667

A.

     [§ 19.22]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 667

B.

     [§ 19.23]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 669

VII.

CROSS-EXAMINATION OF OPPONENT’S EXPERT .................... 672

A.

Defendant’s Perspective........................................................................... 672

1.

          [§ 19.24]

Voir dire on qualifications .................................................... 672

2.

          [§ 19.25]

Objectives of cross-examination .......................................... 672

B.

     [§ 19.26]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 674

VIII.

     [§ 19.27]

 DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE ............................................ 674

A.

     [§ 19.28]

Documents.................................................................................. 676

B.

     [§ 19.29]

Photographs................................................................................ 676

C.

     [§ 19.30]

Charts......................................................................................... 678

D.

     [§ 19.31]

Diagrams..................................................................................... 678

E.

     [§ 19.32]

Videotapes.................................................................................. 679

F.

     [§ 19.33]

Exemplar Components................................................................. 680

G.

     [§ 19.34]

Models........................................................................................ 680

H.

     [§ 19.35]

Demonstrations............................................................................ 681

I.

     [§ 19.36]

Computer-Generated Evidence.................................................... 681

J.

     [§ 19.37]

Jury View.................................................................................... 684

IX.

REBUTTAL EVIDENCE ..................................................................... 685

A.

     [§ 19.38]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 685

B.

     [§ 19.39]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 689

X.

CLOSING ARGUMENT ...................................................................... 690

A.

     [§ 19.40]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 690

B.

     [§ 19.41]

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................... 692

XI.

JURY INSTRUCTIONS ....................................................................... 697

A.

     [§ 19.42]

Defendant’s Perspective.............................................................. 697

B.  

Plaintiff’s Perspective................................................................................ 698

1.

          [§ 19.43]

Early preparation ................................................................. 698

2.

          [§ 19.44]

General rules ....................................................................... 698

3.

          [§ 19.45]

Substantive law: plaintiff’s perspective .................................. 699

4.

          [§ 19.46]

Arguing jury instructions ...................................................... 702


XII.

POST-TRIAL ANALYSIS .................................................................... 703

A.

     [§ 19.47]

Post-Trial Motions and the Noting of Appeal............................... 703

B.

     [§ 19.48]

Post-Trial Interviews With Jurors................................................. 704

 

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES....................................................................................     707

TABLE OF CASES......................................................................................... 711

INDEX............................................................................................................. 765