Imagine one day you were going about your usual grocery or shopping run, and the next, you are in the emergency room, suffering an injury from a product you just bought at the store the other day.
Without an idea of how the law on product liability works, it is difficult to know who you can hold responsible for injuries resulting from a defective product.
Where to look
When seeking damages for defective product injuries, the responsibility often lies with multiple parties along the product’s supply chain. Usual parties that could potentially be liable for injuries resulting from defective products include the following:
- Manufacturer: A product’s manufacturer can be responsible if the injury was due to a defect in the manufacturing process or a failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions.
- Designer: Designers and engineers can be responsible for injuries resulting from a product’s design flaw.
- Parts manufacturer: If the product causing the injury consists of parts from different manufacturers, the manufacturer of the defective part can also be responsible.
- Distributor and wholesaler: Distributors and wholesalers could be liable if they distribute defective products.
- Retailer: Retailers, such as stores and outlets, which sell defective products to consumers can be responsible for injuries. This is particularly the case if they sell a product that they know or should have known was defective.
Though not as commonly known, other parties that could be responsible for defective product injuries are quality assurance testers and product certifiers.
Let your voice be heard
It is understandable to feel even a bit of hesitation when seeking compensation for personal injuries. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that holding the negligent parties accountable protects your rights and ensures you get the compensation you deserve.