Each year, thousands of Americans are hurt or killed due to defective products. Home appliances, lawn/garden equipment, power tools, industrial machines and even food products present many dangers, which have caused injury or death to consumers who use these products.
Product liability refers to the liability of any or all parties along the manufacturing chain for any products that cause damage or injury. This includes the manufacturer of component parts, assembling manufacturer, the wholesaler, and the retail storeowner.
There are three types of product defects that acquire liability in manufacturers and suppliers:
- Design defects
- Manufacturing defects
- Defects in marketing
Design defects are innate because they exist before the product is manufactured. While the item might serve its purpose well, it can be extremely dangerous to use due to design flaws. On the other hand, manufacturing defects occur during the construction or production of the item. Only a few out of many products of the same type are flawed in this case. Defects in marketing deal with improper instructions and failures to warn consumers of latent dangers in the product.
Product liability is considered an offense. Strict liability wrongdoings do not depend on the degree of carefulness by the defendant, because it is irrelevant whether the manufacturer or supplier exercised great care. If there is a defect in the product that causes harm, he or she will be liable for it.
Contact Parvey and Cavenago to determine whether you have a valid claim for product liability.
