Final answer:
Product liability involves three main categories: strict liability, where one only needs to prove the product was defective; negligence, requiring proof of the company's irresponsible behavior causing harm; and implied warranty, ensuring the product is in expected working condition at purchase.
Step-by-step explanation:
Product liability is a legal concept that holds manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers responsible for any injuries caused by their products. The categories of product liability and their descriptions can be matched as follows:
- Strict liability: In this category, the customer only needs to prove that the product was defective, not that the manufacturer was negligent. A counter example situation would be a manufacturer knowingly selling cars with a defective brake system, leading to accidents.
- Negligence: Here, the customer must prove harm due to irresponsible behavior of the company. This means showing that the company's lack of reasonable care directly led to the injury or damage.
- Implied warranty: This implies that the product must be in working condition as expected, at the time of purchase. Any deviation from this expectation could result in a product liability claim.
These categories are crucial in determining how to approach a product liability lawsuit and what a plaintiff needs to prove in order to hold a party responsible for any injuries or damages caused by a defective product.