What Are Three Types Of Product Defects?

Posted on March 17, 2022 in Product Liability Litigation

Defective products can lead to significant injuries or illnesses for consumers. There are a variety of ways that products can become defective, but there are typically three main types of product defects that form the umbrella of just about everything that can go wrong with the items we use and consume every day. This includes manufacturing defects, design defects, and marketing defects.

1. Design Defects

All products have an initial design, and it is very likely that the initial design is not the one that a product ends up with. The reality is that products are thoroughly tested before they are released for use by consumers. The ultimate goal is to have a product design that is free from any flaws so that it is safe for everyone.

Unfortunately, defectively designed products do make it out of the testing phase and into the hands of consumers sometimes. In some cases, these defective designs are discovered right away, but there are times when it takes years for defective designs to come to light.

2. Manufacturing Defects

In contrast to a defective design, we can see that some products become defective as a result of the manufacturing process. Even perfectly designed products can still become flawed through one error in the overall manufacturing chain.

In some cases, products go through several manufacturers before they are fully assembled and ready for consumers. One of the best examples of this is a vehicle, which goes through thousands of manufacturing steps (when we factor in the manufacturing of each part inside the vehicle as well). It often only takes one manufacturing flaw to cause a product to become harmful for consumers.

3. Marketing Defects

The final type of defect is called a marketing defect, though that label is somewhat misleading. Marketing revolves around the labeling of the product, so this may be more aptly called a labeling defect.

Consumers rely on labels to make decisions about products. This includes labels that give instructions, dosage information, ingredients, allergens, side effects, hazards, warnings, etc. Anytime a consumer does not have the information that they need to safely use a product, this could be considered a marketing or labeling defect. Some common examples include power tools that lack proper safety instructions, children’s toys without a choke hazard warning, and medications that have the wrong dosage.

Contact an Attorney

When we examine the government website devoted to recalls, we can see that all types of products can become defective. This includes just about anything that you and your family use and consume on a regular basis: vehicles, toys, electronics, appliances, foods, beverages, medications, tools, cosmetics, environmental products, chemicals, and more.

We strongly encourage you to work with a skilled product liability attorney in Portland if you or your loved one has sustained an injury or illness caused by a defective product. Individuals who sustain injuries as a result of defective products should be able to recover various types of compensation for their losses. This includes, but is not limited to, complete coverage of medical bills, lost wages, property damage expenses, as well as physical and emotional pain and suffering damages.