Whether it's food, medicines, electronics, toys, or even the cars we drive, we expect the products we buy to meet certain standards, that their manufacturers have tested them rigorously, and that these items are safe to use.

But all too often, defective and faulty products can end up on shelves and in our homes, and sometimes the worst can happen and these products cause serious injury. If you've been injured by a faulty or defective product, then our lawyers could help you claim compensation.

Our experienced product liability solicitors have helped people claim faulty product compensation for injuries or illnesses caused by:

We have many years of experience in product liability claims, and are expertly placed to provide all of the help and support you need when making a claim for compensation. Injuries caused by faulty products can be life-changing, so where necessary we’ll help you to access rehabilitation and medical care.

The majority of the product liability claims we handle are on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that there's nothing for you to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim isn’t successful*.

If you have any questions about claiming compensation for an injury caused by a defective product of any kind, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case, or contact us online and we'll get back to you. We'll discuss your situation with you, and give you our expert advice on your options.


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Tim Annett

Product Liability Claims - More Information

Defective Products

Manufacturers have a duty to their customers to ensure the products they release to the market are fit for purpose and safe for their intended use."

Tim Annett, Partner

Client Story ‐ The Chiem Family


"We thought we bought a reliable product from a trusted retailer and we want to know how something with so much potential to cause this type of devastation was sold to us." - Thu Tran Chiem

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Make A Defective Product Claim?

If you've been injured, or had a condition made worse, because of a defective product or medication, then you may be able to claim compensation.

You usually have three years from the date of injury or illness to make a compensation claim, though there can be exceptions made to this time limit on a case by case basis. However, claims arising from defective products also have to be brought within 10 years of the product going into circulation, so it is important to seek legal advice on this.

You can also claim compensation on behalf of a loved one in the following circumstances:

  • Your child, provided they are still under 18
  • A relative who is unable to make their own legal decisions, through a medical condition or impairment

It's also possible to claim if you've lost a loved one because of fatal injuries caused by a defective product or medication. You have three years from the date your loved one died, or from the date you received the post-mortem results, to make a claim (subject to the 10 year time limit above).

We've handled claims for people who've suffered as a result of a number of different kinds of consumer products, including:

We've also handled many defective drug cases, including claims for illnesses caused by Lariam, human growth hormone, and drugs used in clinical trials.

If you've been injured by a product not listed above, then we may still be able to help you. Call us today on 0800 056 4110, or contact us online, for a free initial consultation about your case. We'll discuss whether or not we think you'll be able to claim, and answer any questions that you have.

What Laws Are There Around Defective Products?

Anyone making or selling consumer products has a duty of care to their customers to ensure their products are safe to use, and won't cause harm.

There are many rules and regulations in the UK that set out what product manufacturers, sellers and importers can and can't do. Among these is the Consumer Protection Act 1987, which protects the public from defective products. The main points of the act are:

  • Consumers are entitled to expect the products they buy or use to be safe
  • If a product does not provide the level of safety people are entitled to expect, it will be regarded as defective
  • Manufacturers (and in some cases importers) are liable for injuries or financial losses caused by defective products – it is not necessary to prove they were negligent or at fault.

The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 makes it illegal for manufacturers and sellers to make false or misleading claims about their products. This is enforced by Trading Standards.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 relates to the sale of goods and supply of services, and provides for contractual remedies against the sellers of products that are unsafe or not fit for purpose.

Finally, there is the British Standards Institution (BSI), which sets safety standards across a wide range of industries, and products that meet the BSI's standards can be marked with the KiteMark.

So if a product is defective or unsafe and has caused harm as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

We have a great deal of experience in investigating claims to find out who is ultimately responsible for an injury, and where laws and standards have been broken or ignored. If you have any questions about making a claim then don't hesitate to call us today on 0800 056 4110, or contact us online, for a free initial consultation about your case.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Product Liability Claim?

Our specialist product liability solicitors have worked with people affected by defective items for many years, and understand the issues you will be facing.

With so many rules and regulations around what manufacturers and sellers should and shouldn't do, it can be difficult to know who's to blame, and who should be held accountable for your injuries. In these situations, it helps to have the experts on your side.

We have a great deal of experience investigating defective products and determining exactly who should be liable for your injuries and compensation. Whether you claim individually or as part of a group of people who have been similarly affected, we'll work tirelessly to make sure you receive all of the support, advice and care you need while we help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Our extensive experience has seen us handle a diverse range of product liability claims, including:

  • Compensation for a young girl who was injured when the glass door of a toy oven shattered. Although her wounds healed, our client was left with psychological upset because of the faulty product – find out more about her case.
  • A settlement of £1,200 for a woman who received facial burns from a defective hair removal product. Despite following the instructions carefully, she suffered friction burns which caused residual scarring that took a year to heal – find out more about her claim.
  • A claim on behalf of a family who suffered burns in a fire caused by an exploding hoverboard. The family's home was destroyed, along with all of their possessions – find out more about their claim.

Helping our clients access medical care and support, including physiotherapy and surgery, as well as mobility aids and home modifications, is as important to us as pursuing financial compensation. This support is essential for adapting to life after an injury, and our approach has seen us win Post Magazine’s Rehabilitation Award for Claimant Solicitors on seven occasions.

If you have any questions about making a claim, or how we can help, then please don't hesitate to give us a call today on 0800 056 4110, or contact us online, for a free initial consultation on your case. We're here to help.



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The best in the field of claimant product liability
The Irwin Mitchell team is arguably the best in the field of claimant product liability, and is good on all fronts: client care, strategy and tactics, and understanding of complex expert evidence."
Very committed
The team is very committed to doing their best for their clients."

What Our Clients Say

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Excellent and professional...

I am very pleased with the help I received from Irwin Mitchell.

Everything was explained to me quite clearly before they took on my case, and because they were confident that I had a case, I felt confident that they would…

Cherron Webb
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The service I received…

The service I received from Irwin Mitchell was impeccable. I was carried along from start to finish. Claire King was amazingly awesome. All the Customer Service Representatives was absolutely polite and professional…


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Call them!

From the first call to the end of the process they were highly professional and supportive.

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We believe rehabilitation is as important as compensation.


Injuries and illness can have a lasting effect on your life. We're proud to have won Post Magazine’s Rehabilitation Award for Claimant Solicitors on seven occasions, recognising our commitment to getting our clients the care and support they need to get their lives back on track.


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