Firearms Insurance Agent Blog

Types of Product Liability Claims For Defective Products

Defective product liability claims are an important concern for any business that is involved in the manufacture or sale of goods, including those involving firearms. Businesses need adequate product liability insurance to protect against these types of claims for defective products.

Responsible businesses make a dedicated effort to test products before introducing them to the market. Still, even with careful quality control and product testing, defective products may still be sold to consumers. In a situation such as this, it is essential that your business is properly insured against a defective product liability claim.

Design

Product liability claims may arise as a result of defective design. All products need to be designed before they are manufactured, and this step introduces a liability risk if there are mistakes in the design process. Design problems may arise in mechanical devices, medications, apparel, consumer electronics, and more. In a product liability case that arises because of defective design, it is not the manufacturing that is blamed, but instead the actual design of the product.

Manufacture

Another type of product liability claim concerns defective manufacturing. In a defective manufacturing claim, the design of the product may be fine, but the allegation is there are defects in the manufacture of the product. As with defective design claims, defective manufacturing claims may apply to virtually any category of product. Defective manufacturing claims could include loose parts that create a choking hazard for children, lead-contaminated paint being used on toys, or faulty airbags in a passenger car. In this type of product liability claim, the manufacture of the product is alleged to be faulty or defective.

Instructions

A third type of product liability claim involves a failure to instruct or warn the consumer about any risks associated with using the product. These warnings are often listed on packaging, tags, and user manuals. While it may seem obvious to a manufacturer or retailer that a particular product carries certain risks, there is still a legal obligation to clearly inform the consumer of those risks. A common example of instructions or warnings would be a notice that an electrical product may present a risk of electrocution.

At Associated Services in Insurance, we understand the product liability risks that your business faces and will work with you to find the right coverage. We work with multiple insurance carriers so we can help clients in a firearms related industry find the best coverage and rates. Contact us today at 816-229-4450 to learn how we can help protect your business.