Who Can Be Liable in a Defective Product Case?

When someone gets injured by a defective product, it can feel very overwhelming to figure out where to begin. How do you hold someone accountable when you’re not dealing with a specific person? Defective product injury cases can be very complex and there are multiple parties who could be liable. Liability for defective products can span the entire product distribution chain, it’s not just limited to one person or one business entity. 

Manufacturers

In a product’s distribution chain, manufacturers have a lot of responsibility. There are different ways a product can be considered defective and manufacturers can potentially be involved in all of them. This is true whether a product was produced by a small business or an international corporation. 

In addition to the manufacturer of the main product, another company could be involved if the main product contains a defective component made by a different manufacturer. For example, as of the end of 2022, about 67 million cars made by several major manufacturers were recalled because they used airbags made by Takata, which could explode during deployment. 

Retailers

Even though retail establishments that sell a product may not be involved in the design or production process of that product, they can still potentially be liable for injuries a defective product causes. For example, did a store continue selling a product that had been recalled even though they should have stopped selling that product? This is true for both brick-and-mortar store locations and online retailers.

Distributors & Wholesalers

Before a product reaches a retailer, it goes through a distributor. Distributors are the ones responsible for getting a product from the manufacturer to the retailer, or in some cases, to a wholesaler for resale. In some situations, distributors and wholesalers could be named in a lawsuit involving injuries caused by a defective product. 

Other Parties

In some cases, other parties involved in the production and distribution of a product may be involved in a defective product lawsuit. For example, was another party involved with assembling or installing  the product? Did a manufacturer work with a third party to design the product or to be technical consultants? 

What About Used Products?

Between brick-and-mortar thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, buying items second hand has become very popular. But what if something purchased second hand ends up being defective enough to cause injury? If you’ve been injured by a used product, it’s important to talk to a product liability lawyer to find out what your legal options are. Liability can be more complex in these situations and a lawyer will be able to help you understand how the law applies to your situation.

Contact a Michigan Product Liability Lawyer

With how many parties can be involved with a defective product case, it’s extremely important to make sure the right parties are held accountable for the harm those products cause. At Scott Goodwin Law, we know the law and are ready to take on companies to get justice for our clients. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, contact us to schedule a free consultation so that you can get answers to any questions you have about your situation.