Michigan Product Liability Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed May 21, 2019

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Accidents happen all the time, and sometimes they result in serious injuries or property damage. But when someone is injured or suffers property damage because of a defective product, the injured party may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer and/or seller of the product.

In Michigan, there are several statutes that address product liability lawsuits. If a plaintiff is successful in their product liability action, they can be awarded damages to cover both economic and noneconomic losses. Economic losses include verifiable monetary losses such as money spent on medical care, lost wages (presently and in the future), and costs of repair/replacement of damaged property. Noneconomic losses are non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and disfigurement/physical impairment.

Overview of Michigan Product Liability Laws

Having a question about the law is common and when you have one, you're looking for an easy, straightforward answer. While the actual statutes are the best source of information, they're usually written in overly complicated "legalese." That's where FindLaw can help. In the following chart you can find links to relevant statutes as well as a plain language breakdown of product liability laws in Michigan.

Statute(s)

Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 600, Chapter 29, Section 600.2945, et seq. (Product Liability)
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim

The statute of limitations for filing a products liability action is 3 years.
Damages

A plaintiff can be awarded both economic and noneconomic damages if successful in their products liability lawsuit. The noneconomic damages cannot exceed $280,000; however, if the defective product caused death or permanent loss in a vital bodily function, then noneconomic damages can't exceed $500,000.
Effect of Knowledge of a Defective Product

Several of the product liability statutes* (including the limitations on damages) won't apply if the court determines that:

(1) the defendant had actual knowledge that a product was defective;
(2) there was a substantial likelihood that it would cause the injury that's the basis for the claim; and
(3) the defendant willfully disregarded that knowledge.

*For a list of which statutes don't apply, please see Section 600.2949a.

Related Statute(s)

Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 600. Revised Judicature Act of 1961

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Michigan Product Liability Laws: Related Resources

If you'd like additional information or resources related to this topic, please visit the links listed below.

Get Legal Help with Your Product Liability Lawsuit in Michigan

As you can see from the information above, product liability lawsuits can involve a variety of legal theories. For this reason, a legal professional who has a working knowledge of Michigan product liability laws will be best suited to review the facts of your case and determine if you have a valid claim. So, if you've been injured by a product that you believe was defective, it's best to speak with an experienced product liability attorney in your area today.

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