Hurt by a Defective Auto Part or Other Faulty Product? Get the Compensation You Deserve

In recent months, there have been a never-ending stream of automotive recalls and other product safety actions, many of which have been mandated by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) or other government regulators. Flawed components, poorly designed parts, improper engineering, even typographical errors in owner’s manuals (among other factors) have led to injuries or even deaths for innocent drivers and passengers alike. In addition to incidents caused by automobile-related problems, Michiganders have been hurt through no fault of their own due to a variety of other causes linked to bad products, including defective medical devices and tainted foods among others. Consider just a few examples to see what we mean:

• Millions of Takata airbags installed on a variety of cars, trucks and SUVs have been recalled for safety issues. Over time, the recalled airbags can deteriorate, resulting in uncontrolled expansion and explosive forces that have caused numerous injuries and deaths. The danger is so extreme that the NHTSA has published DO NOT DRIVE warnings for a number of vehicles which have been particularly affected by the issue, including models from Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Mazda, Nissan, Pontiac, and Toyota, ranging from model years beginning in 2000 to as recently as 2015. In a separate action, the NHTSA also recalled cars from Audi, BMW, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and Toyota, equipped with a different type of Takata airbags.
• Numerous other automobile safety issues come to light on a regular basis, including potential premature brake failures in GM vehicles, Tesla power steering problems, software issues causing unexpected acceleration in Hyundai cars, steel trim panels that can fall off Tesla Cybertrucks, and more. In fact, there are so many of these kinds of problems, that the NHTSA maintains a searchable database where you can enter your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate number to see if there are any open recalls and how to deal with them. In addition, the NHTSA has published a handy 20-page downloadable guidebook on dealing with motor vehicle safety defects and recalls.
• Food safety issues also cause their fair share of product recalls. Tostitos corn chips have just been recalled across 13 states (thankfully Michigan is not among them!) because they may contain an ingredient that could cause a “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction” in some individuals. Fortunately, no one has yet been seriously harmed by this problem. But there are dozens of food safety recalls currently being issued across the country, as you can see from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) list of food recalls, which classifies many such problems as “public health alerts” or identifies them as creating “high class” dangers. One of the most infamous food-related recalls in recent months involved lunch meat listeria contamination that resulted in numerous deaths. Other high-profile issues include the possibility of plastic contamination in cans of Coca Cola, and mislabeled bags of decaf “Traverse City Cherry” coffee that actually contain caffeine.
• Even Michigan boat owners are not immune to safety recalls resulting from errors in manufacturing, product design, or documentation. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a list of open recalls highlighting issues with numerous manufacturers of marine products and boat motors. One recent example of such unexpected hazards is the danger posed by the engine cowling on Mercury Marine motors which may cut fingers inadvertently inserted into the cover vents. Some engine owners received a letter instructing them that their owner’s manuals were printed without a warning to “not use the air vents as a handhold or stabilization point when boarding or departing the boat,” and were told to insert that warning letter into their engine’s operations manual. 

All these various situations can lead to product liability personal injury cases, which we’ll discuss at greater length here.

What Constitutes a Product Liability Case?

If you’ve been hurt by a product due to a design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or a situation where the maker failed to provide adequate warning of a potential safety issue, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries through a product liability personal injury lawsuit. Such suits usually take one of two forms, a standard personal injury case, or a class action. In the former, one person or just a few individuals are harmed, in the latter, far more people – perhaps dozens, hundreds, or even many thousands – are injured through no fault of their own. For information on personal injury lawsuits related to defective medical devices, check this article. If you’re looking for more details on class action lawsuits, we cover them here. 

Who is Liable for Product-Related Injuries,and Who Can Help if You’re Hurt?

The manufacturer, the designer, even the seller of a defective product could be held liable depending upon their knowledge of the problem, whether they took responsibility and attempted to rectify the issue, or if they attempted to deny or cover it up. We’re well versed in handling such cases, and have in-depth knowledge of Michigan product liability laws and how they are applied every day in our state’s courts. We’re also particularly knowledgeable about Michigan’s legal standard regarding comparative negligence and its impact on personal injury settlements.

In particular, since state law notes that it is legally the plaintiff who “establishes that the product was not reasonably safe at the time the specific unit of the product left the control of the manufacturer or seller,” you’ll need an experienced legal team working on your behalf to make sure your rights are protected. To get that knowledge on your side, call 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) to learn more about our product liability legal team right away. Remember that there’s a three-year statute of limitations for product liability personal injury cases. So don’t hesitate to make that call!

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.