Product Liability Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Product Liability, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Product Liability?

n.Legal responsibility of the manufacturers,wholesellers,retailers to the buyers or users of the damages or injuries caused by the use of defective products.These can include contamination of food,improper label warnings,defective parts in automobile industry etc.Compensation can be claimed on the basis of negligence,absolute responsibility,breach of guaranty.The damaged person has the right to sue the seller or manufacturer for damages suffered.

History and Meaning of Product Liability

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of a manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer for selling a defective product that causes harm or injury to the consumer. This concept emerged in the mid-twentieth century as a means of protecting consumers from dangers caused by products that are defective or improperly labeled. Product liability laws impose strict liability regardless of any negligence or intent on the part of the manufacturer.

Examples of Product Liability

  1. If a manufacturer produces a car with a faulty brake system that causes an accident, they could be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occur as a result.
  2. A toy company that sells a product with a choking hazard that is not properly labeled could also be held liable for any harm that comes to a child who uses the toy.
  3. A pharmaceutical company could face a product liability lawsuit if a medication that they produced has dangerous side effects that were not properly disclosed to consumers.

Legal Terms Similar to Product Liability

  1. Strict Liability - the legal doctrine that holds a defendant liable for harm caused by their actions, regardless of fault or intent.
  2. Negligence - the failure to take reasonable care and precautions, which results in harm or injury to another person.
  3. Breach of Warranty - a legal claim that arises when a product fails to meet the express or implied warranty provided by the manufacturer.