Injuries caused by faulty or dangerous products can be sudden, painful, and deeply disruptive to everyday life. Whether it’s a household appliance, beauty product, power tool, or piece of gym equipment, no one expects to be harmed by something they were told was safe.
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have a legal duty to ensure the products they put on the market are safe for consumer use. When they fail in that duty, and a product causes injury, you may be entitled to compensation under UK product liability laws.
In this article, we explain how to recognise when a product is legally deemed “faulty,” what types of injuries may lead to a claim, and how to begin your compensation process.
What Is a Faulty Product?
A product may be considered faulty or defective if it fails to meet the safety expectations of the average consumer. This could be due to:
- Manufacturing defects – something went wrong during production
- Design defects – the product was inherently unsafe even when used correctly
- Inadequate warnings or instructions – the user wasn’t properly warned of potential risks
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, you may be able to bring a claim for injury caused by a defective product even if you didn’t buy it yourself — so long as you were a user of the product.
Examples of Faulty Product Injury Claims
Faulty product injuries can occur in many settings. Common examples include:
- Burns or electric shocks from faulty electrical appliances
- Cuts or lacerations from sharp or broken product components
- Chemical burns or allergic reactions from unsafe beauty or cleaning products
- Eye or facial injuries from exploding bottles or pressure-based containers
- Injuries at the gym due to poorly maintained or defective equipment
- Choking or ingestion hazards from defective children’s toys or food packaging
If your injury was caused by a product that malfunctioned or didn’t perform as expected, you could be eligible for compensation.
Who Can You Claim Against?
Depending on the situation, you may be able to bring a claim against:
- The manufacturer
- The importer (if the product was made outside the UK)
- The retailer who sold the product to you
- The installer or service provider, in cases where assembly was required
You do not need to prove negligence — only that the product was defective and caused you harm.
What Can You Claim For?
If your injury was caused by a faulty product, you may be able to claim compensation for:
- Pain and suffering (including psychological trauma)
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Loss of earnings, both past and future
- Cost of care and home support
- Travel expenses related to medical care
- Damage to property or clothing
The severity of the injury and its long-term effects will determine how much compensation you could be entitled to.
Learn more about how compensation is calculated in our guide:
Understanding Compensation: What You Can Claim for in a Personal Injury Case
What Should You Do if You’re Injured by a Faulty Product?
- Seek medical attention
Your health comes first — make sure your injuries are properly assessed and treated. - Keep the product and packaging
Do not throw away the faulty item, packaging, receipts, or instruction manuals. These can be crucial to proving your claim. - Take photographs
Document your injuries, the product, and where the incident occurred. - Report the incident
Notify the retailer or manufacturer in writing, keeping a copy for your records. - Speak to a solicitor
Product liability claims can be complex — working with an experienced legal team will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Time Limits for Making a Claim
You generally have three years from the date of the injury to bring a product liability claim. However, in some cases — especially where the defect is discovered later — this may vary. Don’t delay seeking legal advice, as acting quickly gives your solicitor the best chance of gathering strong evidence.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve been injured by a faulty product, we’re ready to help.
Call us now on 0300 303 3629 for a free, no-obligation consultation,
or make an enquiry online and one of our expert solicitors will be in touch.
You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence — let Specters help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
