{"id":353344,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/product-liability-law.html"},"modified":"2023-11-06T14:50:28","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T19:50:28","slug":"product-liability-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/product-liability-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Product Liability Law: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Product Liability Law: The Basics<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Product liability law holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible when defective products cause harm to consumers. Claims can be based on manufacturing defects, unsafe designs, or inadequate warnings, and may proceed under strict liability, negligence, or breach of warranty.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When people injure themselves with a defective product, they have a potential cause of action against the responsible party. If the victim can prove the other party was responsible for their injuries, then the at-fault party should compensate the victim. Product liability<\/a> is the area of law that covers cases involving damages caused by defective and dangerous products.<\/p>\n

Generally, a product must meet the ordinary expectations of a consumer. This means two things. First, the product will be safe. Second, the product will perform the way it should. In other words, the product is fit for a particular purpose.<\/p>\n

People can get hurt if a product fails to meet these two conditions. Depending on the facts of your case, your product liability lawyer<\/a> may base your claim on the common law, contract law, tort law, or strict product liability.<\/p>\n

This article includes several resources on:<\/p>\n