Yeah. I don't really see any scenario where this would lock up if it failed, unless it has a gear reduction in it, but even then it shouldn't be that hard to muscle. Now, on a conventional PS setup, if the pump fails, you sir are FUBAR'd.
My God mother had a case when she had an accident and crashed head first into a light pole. She said that the steering wheel just jerked all the way to one side and she couldn't steer it to correct. I told her, her pump failed. Appears her insurance agreed