What is the difference between a manufacturer’s defect and a design defect in a defective products case?

In Washington, a defective product case involves determining whether or not a product is defective and, if so, what type of defect is responsible. In product-related lawsuits, there are two types of defects that are distinguished from each other: manufacturer’s defect and design defect. A manufacturer’s defect occurs when a product is manufactured in a way that does not follow the original design specifications set forth by the creator. This means that because of an error in the manufacturing process, the product is not operating as intended. For example, a car with faulty brakes due to a misaligned assembly would be considered a manufacturer’s defect. A design defect, on the other hand, occurs when the product itself is unsafe or flawed in its design. The intention of the product may not have been fully realized due to its flawed design. For example, a car that has an unsafe gas tank that is prone to leakage would be considered a design defect. Ultimately, the difference between a manufacturer’s defect and a design defect lies in what is responsible for the product’s failure. A manufacturer’s defect is due to a failure on the part of the manufacture to properly construct the product as intended, whereas a design defect results from a flawed design itself. In either case, the defective product may lead to a case of negligence or a product liability claim.

What is the difference between a manufacturer’s defect and a design defect in a defective products case?

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