Consumer-Expectation Test
Definition
A test used to determine liability in products-liability actions. In cases involving manufacturing defects, a product will be found unreasonably dangerous under the consumer-expectation test if the product is dangerous beyond the expectations of an ordinary, reasonable consumer if used or misused in a reasonably foreseeable manner. In cases involving design defects, a product will be found to have a defective design under the consumer-expectation test if the product as designed is dangerous beyond the expectations of an ordinary, reasonable consumer if used or misused in a reasonably foreseeable manner. The consumer-expectation test is also known as the consumer-contemplation test.