The component parts/raw materials doctrine provides a defense for raw material suppliers in products liability actions. Under the doctrine, a component part manufacturer or raw material supplier ordinarily is not liable for injuries caused by the finished product into which the component part/raw material is integrated. The supplier will only be liable for such injury if the component part or material itself was defective or caused harm. As many as 30 states, including California, have either expressly adopted or cited with approval the doctrine. However, recent decisions from California appellate courts indicate disagreement within the California courts regarding the scope of this doctrine, particularly with respect to its application to injuries incurred during the manufacturing process.
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