SB 379 Summary

• Establishes a 10-year statute of limitations for products liability claims, measured from when the product was first placed into the stream of commerce, covering damages for economic loss, personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death.

• Exempts indemnity and contribution actions brought by defendants against potentially liable parties from the 10-year limitation period.

• Does not apply the statute of limitations if another law time-bars the action, if the defendant fraudulently concealed information about the product that substantially caused harm, or to claims involving asbestos, dioxins, or polychlorinated biphenyls.

• Does not apply to actions arising from defective or unsafe conditions of improvements to real property.

• Shields manufacturers and sellers from liability for personal injury, death, or property damage caused by alterations or modifications to products made by others after the product left the manufacturer's control, unless the alteration was done per manufacturer instructions or with express consent.

• Defines "alteration or modification" to include design, formula, function, or use changes and failure to perform routine maintenance, but excludes ordinary wear and tear.