Holding Manufacturers Accountable for Defective Products

Consumers trust that the products they purchase are safe for intended use. When that trust is betrayed by defective design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings, serious injuries can result. At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., our product liability attorneys fight to hold manufacturers accountable and secure compensation for injured consumers.

Types of Product Defects

Michigan law recognizes three categories of product defects:

Design Defects

When a product's design is inherently dangerous, making all units of that product unsafe regardless of manufacturing quality. Examples include vehicles prone to rollover or medical devices with dangerous design flaws.

Manufacturing Defects

When errors during production make a specific unit dangerous, even though the design is adequate. This might include contaminated medications, improperly assembled components, or substandard materials.

Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)

When manufacturers fail to provide adequate instructions or warnings about known dangers. This is common in pharmaceutical and medical device cases where side effects aren't properly disclosed.

Proving Your Product Liability Claim

Under Michigan law (MCL 600.2946), you must prove:

• The product was defective when it left the manufacturer's control
• The defect made the product unreasonably dangerous
• You were injured while using the product as intended (or in a foreseeable manner)
• The defect caused your injury

Products that comply with FDA regulations or other federal/state standards benefit from a rebuttable presumption of non-defectiveness—but this presumption can be overcome with sufficient evidence.