Can manufacturing defects lead to a products liability claim?

There are several different ways that products can be considered defective. Recently this Lexington personal injury blog discussed how defects in instructions and warnings can render products dangerous to those who use them. Additionally, defects in the designs of products can introduce unexpected dangers into the lives of the consumers who purchase the problematic goods. Finally, products can be rendered dangerous when they are manufactured with flaws and defects.

A manufacturing defect is different from a design defect because it does not necessarily affect every product of a certain design that makes its way through the manufacturing process. For example, a design defect can make all products of that design dangerous. A manufacturing defect, on the other hand, occurs when a mistake happens in the production of a product and the defect renders the individual product unit defective.

Therefore, manufacturing defects do not plague all products of a certain design. Often during quality control checks manufacturers can pull defective products out before they are packaged and shipped, and consumers never are threatened by their problems. From time to time, however, a product affected by a manufacturing defect may get out of its production facility and may fall into the hands of an unsuspecting consumer.

Manufacturing defects are not common, but they are a real threat to individuals. When they happen the victims of the defective and dangerous product may have certain legal rights to seek compensation to recover from their injuries. A products liability lawsuit may be one option, but it is not available in every circumstance. Whether one can pursue such a claim depends on the facts of their case. Therefore, those who have been injured due to a manufacturing defect will want to examine all their legal options, so they can make decisions that best fit their situation.