Lenhardt v. Ford Motor Company

The question in this case was certified to us, pursuant to RCW 2.60, by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The question certified is:

Under the products liability law of the State of Washington governing an action arising from injuries incurred on January 8, 1979, are the design and performance characteristics of products similar to the allegedly defective product manufactured by other makers appropriate factors to be considered in determining the reasonable expectations of the ordinary consumer?

In its order certifying this question the Ninth Circuit explicitly stated that we are not bound by…