SB80 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Product liability, innovator liability, immunity for damages arising from product not designed, manufactured, sold, or leased by a manufacturer

Summary

SB80 would limit product liability by shielding manufacturers from injuries caused by products they did not design or from copied designs, and it requires plaintiffs to show the exact product involved.

What This Bill Does

In a product liability case, the plaintiff must prove the defendant designed, manufactured, sold, or leased the specific product that caused the injury. If a designer's design is copied by another manufacturer without authorization, the designer is not liable for injuries caused by that manufacturer's product. The act does not change other legal principles or responsibilities of related parties like successors, distributors, or component manufacturers. It becomes effective six months after passage and applies only to civil actions filed after that date.

Who It Affects

• Manufacturers, designers, sellers, or lessors of products who did not design, manufacture, sell, or lease the specific product involved (and designers whose designs are copied without authorization) may be shielded from liability.
• Plaintiffs in product liability cases must prove that the defendant designed, manufactured, sold, or leased the exact product that caused the injury.

Key Provisions

• In any civil action for personal injury, death, or property damage caused by a product, the plaintiff must prove the defendant designed, manufactured, sold, or leased the exact product that caused the injury.
• A designer whose design is copied or used by a manufacturer without the designer's express authorization is not subject to liability for injuries caused by the manufacturer's product, even if the design is foreseeably used.
• The act does not alter other legal principles, including those under the Alabama Medical Liability Act or rules for successor entities, distributors, or licensing/contractual arrangements.
• The act becomes effective six months after passage and applies to civil actions filed thereafter.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure