What are the Different Types of Product Defects?

When people hear the words “defective product,” they may simply think of a product that is broken or otherwise doesn’t work. However, defective products can be a bit more complex than that. If a person is injured by a defective product, it’s important to understand that there are actually three different ways a product may be considered defective. 

Design Defects

In some cases, a product can be manufactured as intended, but there is something about the product’s design that makes it unreasonably dangerous. One example of this would be a vehicle with a top-heavy design that makes it easy to roll over when turning corners or going around curves in the road. Or a tire that is prone to falling apart when driven at a speed that isn’t unreasonable for people to be driving at. 

Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects are problems that occur due to an error in the manufacturing process. Some examples of this would include products being released to the public that are missing a key component, have incorrectly installed wiring, or were manufactured with the wrong fasteners. 

Inadequate Instructions & Warnings

Sometimes, a product is manufactured correctly and doesn’t have any unreasonable design flaws, but can still be considered defective. It’s very important for consumers to be given all the information they need to use a product safely and if a product doesn’t have appropriate labels, warnings, or instructions, it can be easy for people to get hurt. For example, a medication that doesn’t provide warnings about potential drug interactions could result in a person having very serious health effects. Or if a strong cleaning product doesn’t tell people to wear gloves when using the product, someone could end up with skin damage.

Contact a Defective Product Lawyer

If you’ve been injured by a defective product, don’t hesitate to contact a defective product lawyer as soon as possible. Very often, people who have been harmed by defective products feel like the odds are stacked against them. Manufacturers can have big legal teams working on their behalf and laws are often set up to protect the manufacturer. Talking to a lawyer will give you a chance to learn more about your legal options and get answers to any questions you have about your situation. 

At Goodwin & Scieszka, we’re experienced in helping people who have been injured by defective products in the state of Michigan. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.