Under product liability law, who is generally held responsible for harm caused by a product?

Under product liability law, economic actors who manufacture or sell the product are generally held responsible for any harm caused by that product. This principle is rooted in the idea that those who produce and distribute products have a responsibility to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Manufacturers are expected to adhere to certain standards when designing, producing, and testing their products. If a product is found to be defective or unsafe and causes injury or damage, the manufacturer can be held liable for those consequences. This liability extends to sellers and distributors as well, as they are part of the supply chain that brings the product to consumers.

The rationale behind holding these economic actors accountable is that they have the resources, expertise, and control over the product safety measures and are therefore in the best position to prevent harm. Ensuring that the responsibility lies with manufacturers and sellers helps to incentivize them to uphold rigorous safety standards and quality control processes, ultimately protecting consumers.

In contrast, consumers typically cannot be held liable for defects in products they purchase; government regulators usually oversee compliance but do not hold direct liability for harm; and insurance companies provide coverage for liability claims but do not create the products themselves.