Product Liability Law: What It Is And How It Works
If you’ve ever been injured using a product, you probably wondered if the company behind the product was responsible for your injuries and whether you should contact a product liability lawyer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of product liability law and how it works.
What Is Product Liability Law?
Product liability law refers to the legal responsibility of a manufacturer or seller to ensure that their products are safe for use by consumers. When a product is defective, it can cause injury or death to the user. If the injured party decides to pursue legal action against the manufacturer or seller, they’ll need to prove that the defective product caused their injuries. This can be done through expert testimony and scientific evidence such as lab tests showing how the product was made incorrectly or failed in some other way.
Who Can Be Held Liable Under Product Liability Law?
The law allows injured parties to bring claims against all those involved in the chain of distribution for a defective product. The injured party may bring a claim against:
- The manufacturer of the defective product;
- The wholesaler or retailer who sold the defective product; and/or
- The designer or creator of any component part that was used in making the product.
The Different Types of Product Liability
There are three main types of product liability: design defect, manufacturing defect, and market share liability defect.
- Manufacturing Defects — When a product is designed, manufactured, or assembled in a way that makes it dangerous to people who use it.
- Design Defects — When a design is inherently unsafe and causes injury even when properly manufactured and assembled.
- Market Share Liability — A company may be held responsible for injuries caused by a defective product if they had significant control over the design or manufacture of the defectively designed or manufactured product, even if they did not actually make the product.
Bottomline
There’s a lot of information on product liability law out there, and it can be difficult for consumers to sort through it. Hopefully this guide will clear up some of the confusion and provide you with everything you need to know before making a purchase. If you’re truly concerned about your rights, do not hesitate to contact us for some professional advice. If you do have a case, though, it’s best to act quickly.
