malfunction theory
malfunction theory. Products-liability law. A principle permitting a products-liability plaintiff to prove that a product was defective by proving that the product malfunctioned, instead of requiring the plaintiff to prove a specific defect. • A plaintiff relying on the malfunction theory usu. must also prove that the product was not misused, and must disprove all reasonable explanations for the occurrence other than a defect. [Cases: Products Liability 75.1, 82. 1.]
