Product Liability Representation in Livingston County, MI

When you purchase a product—whether a vehicle, medical device, power tool, or household appliance—you have every right to expect it won't harm you. But when manufacturers cut corners on design, quality control, or warnings, defective products cause serious injuries that change lives forever. At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., our product liability attorneys represent Livingston County residents injured by dangerous products, fighting to hold negligent manufacturers accountable.

With more than 45 years of trial experience, we understand how to build strong product liability cases that overcome the significant resources manufacturers deploy to avoid responsibility. We take cases on a contingency-fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win.

Types of Product Defects We Handle in Livingston County

Michigan law recognizes three categories of product defects, each requiring specific legal proof:

Design Defects

When a product's design is inherently dangerous, making every unit unsafe regardless of manufacturing quality. Examples include vehicles prone to rollover, medical devices with dangerous design flaws, or consumer products that create foreseeable hazards. Design defect cases often require expert testimony demonstrating that safer alternative designs were feasible.

Manufacturing Defects

When errors during production make a specific unit dangerous, even though the design itself is sound. This might include contaminated medications, improperly assembled components, substandard materials, or quality control failures. Livingston County residents injured by manufacturing defects may have claims against multiple parties in the supply chain.

Marketing Defects and Failure to Warn

When manufacturers fail to provide adequate instructions or warnings about known dangers. Pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and chemical producers frequently fail to disclose serious side effects and risks. These cases are especially common in Michigan following the 2024 repeal of pharmaceutical immunity.

Common Product Liability Cases in Livingston County

Our firm handles a wide range of defective product cases affecting Livingston County families:

• Defective vehicles and auto parts: Airbag failures, tire blowouts, seat belt defects, fuel system fires, and electronic system malfunctions
• Dangerous pharmaceuticals: Undisclosed side effects, contaminated medications, improper dosing instructions, and drug interaction failures
• Medical device failures: Defective implants, surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and home medical devices
• Power tools and equipment: Missing safety guards, inadequate warnings, defective switches, and design flaws causing crush injuries or amputations
• Consumer products: Dangerous children's toys, defective appliances, flammable materials, and products with toxic chemicals
• Agricultural and industrial equipment: Machinery without proper safeguards affecting Livingston County's farming and manufacturing communities

Michigan's Product Liability Laws

Under Michigan law (MCL 600.2946), you must prove four elements to establish product liability:

The product was defective when it left the manufacturer's control. This often requires expert testimony and analysis of manufacturing records, design documents, and quality control procedures.

The defect made the product unreasonably dangerous. Michigan law weighs the magnitude of danger against the product's utility and the feasibility of safer alternatives.

You were injured while using the product as intended or in a foreseeable manner. Even misuse doesn't automatically bar recovery if the manufacturer should have anticipated that use.

The defect caused your injury. Establishing causation often requires medical experts linking your specific injuries to the product defect.

Products that comply with FDA regulations or other federal and state safety standards benefit from a rebuttable presumption of non-defectiveness—but this presumption can be overcome with sufficient evidence that the product was still unreasonably dangerous.

Michigan's 2024 Pharmaceutical Liability Reform

For decades, Michigan law provided broad immunity to pharmaceutical manufacturers, making it nearly impossible to sue for injuries caused by dangerous drugs. Senate Bill 410, which took effect February 13, 2024, changed that landscape significantly.

Under the new law, pharmaceutical manufacturers no longer enjoy blanket immunity. They now have only a rebuttable presumption of non-defectiveness if they complied with FDA standards—a presumption plaintiffs can overcome with evidence the product was still defective and unreasonably dangerous.

This reform opens the door for Livingston County residents injured by dangerous pharmaceuticals to pursue compensation that was previously unavailable. The law applies to injuries occurring on or after February 13, 2024.

Compensation Available in Livingston County Product Liability Cases

When defective products cause injuries, victims deserve full compensation for all damages:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, ongoing care, rehabilitation, and future medical needs related to your product injury
• Lost income: Wages lost during recovery, plus reduced earning capacity if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life caused by the defective product
• Permanent disability: Compensation for lasting impairments affecting your daily activities, hobbies, and independence
• Scarring and disfigurement: Particularly important in burn cases, chemical exposure, and injuries causing permanent visible damage

Michigan caps non-economic damages in product liability cases at approximately $569,000 for most cases, with a higher cap near $1,047,000 for cases involving death or permanent loss of vital bodily functions. These caps are adjusted annually for inflation. Economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages are not capped.

Building a Strong Product Liability Case

Product liability cases require thorough investigation and substantial resources. Our attorneys begin by preserving the defective product and documenting its condition. We work with engineering experts, medical specialists, and industry professionals to analyze the defect and establish causation.

Critical evidence in product liability cases includes:

• The defective product itself, preserved in its post-accident condition
• Medical records documenting your injuries and linking them to the product
• Manufacturing records, design documents, and quality control procedures obtained through discovery
• Evidence of prior complaints, recalls, or similar incidents involving the product
• Expert testimony explaining the defect, safer alternatives, and industry standards
• Documentation of the defendant's knowledge of the defect and failure to act

Manufacturers deploy significant resources to defend product liability claims. They retain experts to argue that products met industry standards, that injuries resulted from user error, or that alternative causes explain your harm. We're prepared to counter these defenses with thorough preparation and compelling evidence.

Why Choose Logeman & Iafrate for Your Livingston County Product Liability Claim

Product liability cases demand attorneys who aren't afraid to take on powerful manufacturers. We take cases others won't, and we prepare every case for trial. Our trial-ready approach means manufacturers know we're prepared to go the distance.

Many personal injury firms settle quickly to avoid the work of trial preparation. We take a different approach. Our verdicts and settlements reflect decades of fighting for injured clients throughout Michigan, including significant recoveries in complex product cases.

We offer free consultations and handle product liability cases on a contingency-fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This allows Livingston County families to pursue justice without financial risk, regardless of the manufacturer's resources.

Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights

Michigan's statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally three years from when the injury occurred or was discovered. However, Michigan's statute of repose may bar claims for products manufactured more than 10 years before the injury in some circumstances.

Early consultation with an attorney is critical. Product evidence degrades, documents disappear, and witnesses' memories fade. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case becomes.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is decided on its own facts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability Claims in Livingston County

What types of product defects can support a liability claim in Michigan?

Michigan law recognizes three categories: design defects (when the product's design is inherently dangerous), manufacturing defects (when production errors make a specific unit dangerous), and marketing defects or failure to warn (when manufacturers don't adequately disclose known dangers). All three can form the basis for a product liability lawsuit if they caused your injury in Livingston County.

How did Michigan's 2024 pharmaceutical liability law change my rights?

Senate Bill 410, effective February 13, 2024, repealed Michigan's pharmaceutical immunity that previously blocked most drug lawsuits. Now, pharmaceutical manufacturers have only a rebuttable presumption of non-defectiveness if they complied with FDA standards. Plaintiffs can overcome this presumption with evidence the product was still defective. The new law applies to injuries occurring on or after February 13, 2024, opening the door for Livingston County residents injured by dangerous pharmaceuticals.

What must I prove in a Michigan product liability case?

Under Michigan law (MCL 600.2946), you must prove the product was defective when it left the manufacturer's control, the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous, you were injured while using the product as intended or in a foreseeable manner, and the defect caused your injury. Our Livingston County attorneys work with experts to establish these elements and build the strongest possible case.

Are there damage caps in Michigan product liability cases?

Yes. Michigan caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in product liability cases at approximately $569,000 for 2025, adjusted annually for inflation. A higher cap of approximately $1,047,000 applies for cases involving death or permanent loss of vital bodily functions. Economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages are not capped.

How long do I have to file a product liability lawsuit in Michigan?

The statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally three years from when the injury occurred or was discovered. However, Michigan's statute of repose may bar claims for products manufactured more than 10 years before the injury in some circumstances. Consulting an attorney promptly ensures you preserve all potential claims and evidence.