In a products liability case based on negligence, what must the plaintiff prove regarding duty?

In a products liability case that hinges on negligence, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the manufacturer or seller breached a duty of care owed to the consumer. This duty of care pertains to the requirement that the manufacturer or seller must act with reasonable care during the design and manufacture of the product to ensure it is safe for use.

Establishing that reasonable care was exercised during the product's manufacture is crucial because negligence involves a failure to meet the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person or entity would exercise under similar circumstances. If it can be shown that the manufacturer took appropriate steps to avoid defects—like following industry standards, conducting adequate testing, and ensuring thorough quality control—then they may fulfill their duty of care. If the plaintiff can prove that this duty was breached and that the breach directly caused their injuries, they can support their claim of negligence in the products liability context.

The other options do not pertain to the core elements required to establish negligence in this scenario. A fair price or having a warranty may relate to other aspects of consumer protection but do not address the fundamental requirement of demonstrating a breach of duty through the standard of care during production. Similarly, merely being licensed does not automatically imply that a seller exercised reasonable care in the manufacturing process, nor