If you have been adversely affected by a defective product, contact our skilled lawyers today. We are here to help.
Product liability refers to the legal liability that is held by all parties that are in some way or another related to the manufacture and distribution of a product. Under Oklahoma product liability laws, a “product” includes virtually anything that is bought and sold, including real estate, animals and writings. For example, a producer of defective navigational charts can be held responsible for damages caused by the use of the defective chart. Many parties are involved in the production and distribution of a product, which means that many different parties are legally responsible for the performance of the product. There are no federal laws governing product liability, so it is the responsibility of individual states to determine who along the chain of production and distribution is responsible for what, and to what degree they are responsible.
Types of Product Defects
In order for a product to give rise to a liability claim, the product must be deemed defective in some form or another. There are three different types of defects that can result in a defective product classification:
- Design defects
- Manufacturing defects
- Marketing defects
A design defect is one that occurs before the product is even produced. An example of a design defect would be an unnecessarily slippery car tire. The original design of the tire might be a tread pattern that would displace water to prevent hydroplaning. However, if the end result is a tire that will not hydroplane but will loose traction in loose gravel and place the user in danger of loosing control of the vehicle, the tire could be deemed a defective product due to the defective design.
A manufacturing defect is one that occurs during the manufacturing process. This usually gives rise to only a few defective products out of the whole lot. An example of a manufacturing defect would be a single seat belt that, because of a misplaced screw, did not hold tight during a collision. If a person were injured as a result of this defective seat belt, the manufacturer could be held legally accountable on the grounds of producing a defective product.
A marketing defect is one that affects not the product itself, but the distribution and education process associated with the product. A marketing defect could be as simple as improper instructions or as dangerous as promoting asbestos as a great home insulation. Many people can be held liable for a product’s performance under this type of defect. A local store owner can be legally responsible for encouraging the incorrect use of a product, or a marketing director could be held liable for a large toy company.
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys for Legal Help
The scope of people and parties liable for the defective products that they produce or are in some way affiliated with is enormous. If there is a defect in any facet of a product’s performance that causes injury, there is a person who is legally responsible. If you or a loved one has been adversely affected by a product – either because of a defect in its design, manufacturing or marketing – contact our reputable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your situation today. Please fill out our contact form or call us toll free.