When you buy a product—a car, a piece of machinery, or even a cosmetic—you expect it to be safe and work as promised. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Sometimes products malfunction or cause harm, and when they do, it can have serious consequences. If a faulty product has injured you, you may be able to pursue what's called a product liability claim.
Product liability cases hold manufacturers, designers, and companies accountable for putting unsafe products into the hands of consumers. But not all claims are created equal. They generally fall into one of six main categories. Understanding these types can help you figure out where your situation fits—and whether you might need the help of a personal injury attorney.
1. Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing defects happen when something goes wrong during the production process, causing the product to be unsafe. Even if the product's design is flawless, a defect in how it’s made can turn it into a hazard.
Example
Imagine you purchase a brand-new set of brakes for your car. Unfortunately, during manufacturing, a critical bolt was left out. When you put the brakes to the test in an emergency, they fail, leading to a life-altering crash. This would likely be considered a manufacturing defect.
Why does it matter? In this case, the issue isn’t with the design but rather with how the product was assembled.
2. Design Defects
A design defect exists when a product's actual blueprint or design is inherently unsafe—even when manufactured correctly. These claims argue that the product isn't safe for consumers, no matter how flawlessly it was made.
Example
Picture a brand of children’s toys built with small magnetic pieces that can easily detach. Because these magnets can be swallowed by young children, creating a serious medical emergency, the toy's design itself is problematic. Injuries stemming from this can give rise to a design defect claim.
Why does it matter? Even if every toy is manufactured perfectly according to the design's specifications, the design itself is what makes it dangerous.
3. Failure to Warn (a.k.a. Marketing Defects)
Sometimes, a product is safe to use—as long as users are aware of potential hazards. However, if a manufacturer or seller provides incomplete or unclear instructions or fails to warn about risks, people can get hurt. This type of claim is called a failure-to-warn claim or marketing defect.
Example
Imagine a chemical cleaning product that's safe when used with gloves but dangerous if it comes into direct contact with skin. If the product label doesn’t clearly warn consumers about this risk and someone suffers chemical burns, that could lead to a failure-to-warn claim.
Why does it matter? Consumers rely on instructions and warnings to use products safely. Without those, accidents can happen—even with otherwise well-designed products.
4. Breach of Warranty
When you buy a product, there is often an implied or explicit promise that it will work as intended. If a product fails to live up to these promises and causes harm, the manufacturer could be held liable for a breach of warranty.
Example
Say you buy a brand-new ladder that’s advertised as capable of holding up to 250 pounds. You're well within the weight limit when stepping on it, but it buckles and collapses due to weak materials, leaving you with broken bones. That ladder didn’t meet its safety and performance warranty, making the manufacturer potentially liable.
Why it matters? People trust warranties when using a product. When products fail to meet promises, injuries often follow.
5. Strict Liability Claims
Unlike negligence-based claims, strict liability doesn’t focus on whether the manufacturer was careful. Instead, it holds them responsible if their product is defective and causes harm, no matter how much effort they put into quality control.
Example
You’re injured when a new kitchen appliance with a faulty motor overheats, catches fire and causes burns. Even if the manufacturer took all steps to inspect for errors, they could still be held strictly liable for the harm their defective product caused.
Why does it matter? Strict liability ensures consumers don’t have to conduct a thorough investigation into a company’s practices to seek justice—they only need to prove the defect and the injury.
6. Negligence
Finally, negligence claims arise when a manufacturer or company fails to exercise reasonable care in designing, making, or selling a product. This could include ignoring safety standards, failing to test the product adequately, or cutting corners to save costs.
Example
Suppose a car manufacturer learns about an airbag deployment issue during testing but decides to ignore the defect to speed up production. Later, that same defect leads to an accident where someone is seriously injured. This would be a negligence case.
Why it matters? Negligence highlights situations where harm could have been avoided if the company had been more responsible.
Why Understanding These Claims Matters
You might be wondering which of the above applies to your situation. The truth is that product liability cases can get complicated, and sometimes multiple types of claims overlap. For instance, a poorly designed toy (design defect) might also lack proper warnings (failure to warn).
This is why working with an experienced personal injury attorney is so important. They can help you determine what type of claim you’re dealing with, investigate the root causes, and hold the right parties accountable.
Real-Life Impact
Consider the case of someone injured by a defective medical device like a hip implant. Their personal injury claim might target the manufacturer if the design was flawed. If, on the other hand, the implant was good, but a batch wasn’t properly sterilized during production, leading to infections, the claim could focus on a manufacturing defect. They might file a failure-to-warn claim if there is insufficient warning about potential risks.
Defective Products in San Bernardino, CA
Navigating the intricacies of product liability claims requires a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework, types of claims, and the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. Whether you are a consumer seeking to protect your rights, a legal professional aiming to deepen your knowledge, or a business owner looking to mitigate risks, understanding these elements is crucial. At Vetchtein Law in Riverside, CA, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to guiding you through the complexities of product liability claims. Contact us today at (888) 963-9999 to learn how we can assist you in achieving a favorable outcome in your case.