Product liability cases differ from many other types of personal injury claims in Green Bay because strict liability may apply, meaning you may not need to prove someone was negligent in order to pursue compensation. Instead, the focus is often on whether the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous.
Additionally, when product defects cause harm, responsibility can extend to multiple parties in the supply chain. While this expands the potential sources of compensation, it can also increase the legal and financial risk involved in pursuing a claim without skilled legal representation.
What Is Product Liability?
Product liability law addresses injuries caused by defective products. Claims generally fall into three categories:
- A design defect exists when a product’s blueprint makes it unsafe, even if manufactured correctly
- A manufacturing defect occurs when an error during production makes a specific item dangerous
- A failure to warn claim involves missing or inadequate instructions or safety warnings
In many cases, injured parties don’t have to prove negligence – a failure of a responsible party to uphold its duty of care – because strict liability may apply under Wisconsin law. Under strict liability, a company can be held responsible if its product was defective and caused injury, even without proof of careless conduct.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Liability Lawsuit?
Responsibility in a product liability claim may not fall exclusively on the manufacturer of a defective or unsafe product. Depending on the facts of your case, other potentially liable parties in a product liability suit may include:
- Component or parts manufacturers
- Distributors and wholesalers
- Retailers
- Importers of foreign-made products
But can you sue multiple defendants in a product liability case? Yes – because responsibility may be shared across different points in the supply chain, it’s not unusual for there to be multiple defendants in these cases. If negligence occurred in the design, manufacture, shipping, or selling of a defective product, multiple parties could be held liable for a plaintiff’s injury. By including all potentially liable parties, you and your attorney can reduce the risk of companies shifting blame to one another to avoid paying for the harm they’ve caused. It can also protect your ability to recover full compensation under modern product liability law, especially if one defendant lacks sufficient insurance coverage or financial resources to satisfy a judgment.
Evidence & Strategy in Multi-Defendant Claims
Evidence always plays a central role in determining who’s responsible in a product liability claim, but it takes on additional importance when multiple defendants are involved. Keep the product that caused your injury, along with any packaging, instructions, or receipts. Altering or discarding the item can make it harder to prove a defect and connect it to specific companies in the supply chain.
Product liability claims also require careful pleading and investigation. A well-developed legal strategy can help avoid early dismissal and counter common defense tactics, including efforts by defendants to shift blame to one another or to you as the injured party.
Get Help Pursuing Compensation From All Liable Parties
If a defective product harmed you, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the resulting injuries and losses. An experienced Green Bay product liability attorney can manage the complex and time-sensitive processes involved in pursuing your claim while you focus on healing. Contact Schwaba Law Firm today to arrange a free case review and learn more about your legal options.
