Liability for defective products protects consumers when unsafe or faulty goods cause injury, illness or property damage. Under UK law, manufacturers, retailers and distributors can be held responsible if a defective product causes harm.
Consumers expect products to be safe and reliable, yet unsafe and faulty goods remain a serious issue across the UK.
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the Product Safety Database Report 2023–24 recorded more than 2,300 notifications involving unsafe or non-compliant consumer products. Around 15.8% were linked to injuries. Electrical appliances, cosmetics and toys were among the most affected categories.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) also reports that unsafe consumer goods contribute to thousands of home and leisure accidents each year, many requiring emergency hospital treatment.
In this guide, we explain how liability for defective products works in the UK, who can be held responsible, what steps to take after a product-related injury, and how compensation claims are handled.
Table of Contents
Key takeaways:
- Unsafe products continue causing injuries across the UK despite strict consumer safety laws
- Over 2,300 unsafe product notifications highlight ongoing risks from everyday consumer goods
- Manufacturers, retailers, and distributors can all share liability for defective products
- You can often claim compensation without proving negligence under UK product liability law
- Delaying action or discarding the product can weaken evidence and reduce claim strength
- Compensation may cover medical costs, lost income, property damage, and long-term recovery
- Early legal advice helps identify liability and protect your compensation rights
Understanding liability for defective products
Under UK law, manufacturers, distributors and retailers must ensure the products they sell are safe. Retailer liability for defective products may arise if unsafe goods cause injury or damage.
The Consumer Protection Act 1987 allows consumers to claim compensation for injuries caused by defective products. In many cases, a defective product liability claim does not require you to prove negligence, only that the product was defective and caused harm.
Liability for defective products may apply when the safety of the product falls below the level consumers are entitled to expect. This can include:
- Design flaws that make a product unsafe
- Manufacturing defects that create hidden risks
- Missing safety warnings or unclear instructions
- Poor quality control during production
You may still have grounds for faulty product injury claims even if the product passed safety checks or was used correctly.
What to do immediately after a product-related injury
- Seek medical attention and keep medical records related to your injury
- Preserve the product and avoid repairing or disposing of it
- Record the time, location and circumstances of the incident
- Take photographs of the product, packaging and injuries
- Keep receipts, instructions and proof of purchase
- Report the issue to the retailer or manufacturer
- Speak to a solicitor about your legal options and possible compensation
You can also use our Claim Checker to determine whether you may be eligible to make a claim.
Who can be held responsible?
Multiple parties may be held liable under UK law, including:
- Manufacturers, who design and produce the product
- Importers, if the product was made outside the UK
- Retailers who sold the product to the consumer
- Distributors, who handled the product’s storage or transport
Identifying the responsible party is key in product liability claims. This is even more important when several businesses are in the supply chain.
How contributory negligence can affect your claim
Some consumers believe they cannot claim compensation because they may have used a product incorrectly.
Under UK law, contributory negligence may still let you claim compensation. This applies even if you were partly at fault. For example, this may apply if a product had unclear instructions. It may also apply if the defect created a risk during normal use.
Your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. However, you may still be entitled to claim damages if you were injured by a defective product.
Common examples of defective product injuries
You may be entitled to compensation after a defective product injury caused by unsafe or faulty products, including:
- Burns or electric shocks caused by faulty electrical products
- Cuts, fractures or crush injuries from defective tools or machinery
- Allergic reactions or poisoning linked to unsafe food or cosmetics
- Road accidents caused by faulty vehicle parts
- Complications caused by defective medical devices or implants
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), product recalls and safety notifications involving unsafe consumer goods continue to affect thousands of products across the UK.
Client’s story
Emma, 32, purchased a hair dryer online. Within two weeks, it overheated and caused burns to her hand and scalp. The manufacturer denied responsibility and claimed the product had been misused.
Emma’s legal team later proved that a wiring defect made the product unsafe. The case settled for £12,500 in defective product compensation, covering medical treatment, lost income and recovery costs.
Compensation: What you can claim
You may be entitled to compensation for defective products that caused injury, financial loss or property damage, including:
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Loss of income during recovery
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Long-term care or treatment expenses
- Property damage, including burns to clothing or furnishings
Compensation amounts depend on the severity of the injury, financial losses and long-term impact of the incident. You can also use our Claim Value Estimator to get an idea of how much compensation your claim may be worth.
Why choose Claim Time Solicitors?
Claim Time Solicitors has more than 20 years of experience helping clients across the UK claim compensation for injuries caused by unsafe or faulty products.
We offer:
- No win, no fee representation
- Experienced product liability solicitors
- Investigations into manufacturer and retailer responsibility
- Support throughout the claims process
Act after a defective product injury
If a faulty or unsafe product caused your injury, you may be entitled to make a defective product claim under UK law.
Claim Time Solicitors can explain your legal options, investigate the circumstances of the incident and help you seek compensation on a no win no fee basis.
Contact us today on 0800 970 2727 for a free and confidential consultation.
FAQs
What is product liability insurance in the UK?
Product liability insurance in the UK helps businesses pay legal and compensation costs. This applies if a product they supply causes injury, illness, or property damage. It does not prevent injured consumers from making a defective product claim.
Will I still get compensation if I was partly to blame?
Yes. Under UK law, you can still claim under liability for defective products even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation may be reduced, but you will not lose your right to claim.
Will I have to go to court?
Most product liability cases are settled through negotiation. Only a small number of cases go to court. If that happens, Claim Time Solicitors will represent you at every step.
How long do I have to make a claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury or from when you discover the defect that caused the harm. Contact us as soon as possible to help preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Can I claim for damage to personal belongings caused by a defective product?
Yes. Compensation may cover damage to goods such as clothing, furniture, electronics or other personal belongings. This applies if they were damaged by a defective product.