California Supreme Court Adopts Sophisticated User Doctrine

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- In an issue of first impression, the California Supreme Court has recognized the sophisticated user doctrine as a viable defense in a toxic tort case. Johnson v. American Standard, No. S139184 (Calif. Sup. Ct.).

The order, issued moments ago, affirms a lower court's finding that a manufacturer should not be held accountable to a sophisticated user of its product if the user could reasonably have known of the associated risk.

"Although manufacturers are responsible for products that contain dangers of which the public is unaware, they are not insurers, even under strict liability, for the mistakes or …