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The outbreak of coronavirus in the United States has changed most people’s lives in dramatic form. With the majority of the country under some kind of stay-at-home order, many people have turned to online shopping to get everything from their basic necessities to toys for their bored children to play with. Most of these purchases are taking place through Amazon. However, what happens if a product you order is defective and causes you or a loved one harm? The defective product lawyers in Boston, MA at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. want to discuss liability issues when it comes to products ordered from Amazon.
With most people in this country under some kind of stay-at-home in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, many Americans are changing the way they shop. To be sure, online shopping has risen in popularity significantly over the last decade. However, even people who were previously not serious online shoppers are now shifting to online retailers like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and more.
Unfortunately, there are times when faulty products are purchased from online retailers and make into the hands of consumers. These defective products can cause serious injuries or illnesses for consumers. In most cases, when someone is harmed due to a defective product, they can file product liability lawsuits against sellers and manufacturers. However, time and time again, online retailers like Amazon have not been held accountable in these instances.
Over the years, Amazon has continually argued in court that they cannot be held liable for products sold by third-party sellers on their website. Under Amazon’s current policy (other online retailers have similar policies), they take no responsibility for flawed or defective items sold by any third-party merchant. However, last year a case reached the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the court was the first to reject Amazon’s claim that it cannot be considered a seller of products offered by third parties.
Even though the full court will not release a final decision until later this year, this ruling is already having major implications. Other courts have begun to rule that Amazon can be held liable as a seller. This could be the long-awaited victory the victims of defective products bought online have been waiting for. Not only will this force online retailers to ensure the safety of the products on their website, but it will also give victims the ability to secure compensation for the expenses and suffering they have endured.
If you or somebody you care about has been harmed due to a defective product, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., we are dedicated to helping victims secure the compensation they deserve in these cases. This can include:
If you need a Boston product liability attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 617-917-3917.
