What role does a “defect in the manufacturing process” play in product liability claims?
In Washington, a “defect in the manufacturing process” plays a significant role in product liability claims. Generally speaking, when it comes to product liability law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held legally responsible if a product they produce, distribute, or sell causes an injury to the consumer. When it comes to a defect in the manufacturing process, there are essentially three different types of manufacturing defects: design defects, manufacturing defects, and warning/instructional defects. Design defects mean the product was designed defectively and was unreasonably dangerous when it left the manufacturer’s hands. Manufacturing defects mean the product was correctly designed, but something went wrong during the manufacturing process, making the product unreasonably dangerous. And warning/instructional defects mean that the product was correctly designed and manufactured, but the user was not warned adequately or given proper instructions about how to safely use the product. In Washington, if a product liability claim is based on a defect in the manufacturing process, the injured party must prove that the manufacturer caused the defect that led to their injury. This means that the plaintiff must prove that the product was not reasonably safe, and that the defect in the manufacturing process was the direct cause of the plaintiff’s injury. This can be a difficult task, so it’s important to work with an experienced attorney who has knowledge in product liability law in Washington.
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