Multiple parties may be liable for product liability damages depending on the circumstances. Those parties commonly include the following:
Product Designer: If there was a foreseeable risk posed by a product due to its design, even though it was manufactured correctly, the product’s designer might be liable.
Manufacturer: Manufacturers are often liable in defective product lawsuits. In some cases, there may be multiple manufacturers that can be held responsible. For instance, if the defective product is a part of a larger product—such as a faulty battery within a children’s toy.
Wholesaler or Distributor: Any other “middlemen” involved in a defective product’s distribution chain, such as the wholesalers, distributors, or suppliers, can be liable for damages. Even if defective product injuries were not necessarily their fault, any party involved in distributing a defective product can potentially be partially or entirely responsible.
Retailer: You may also have a case against the retailer who sold the defective product. In some cases, a retailer can be liable for simply selling a dangerous product, even if you did not directly buy or use the faulty product.
Other examples of potential parties include marketers, outside consultants or contractors, engineers, and any other party involved in a defective product’s creation and distribution.