Amazon And Walmart Face Growing Scrutiny Over Dangerous Third-Party Products
Online shopping has revolutionized the way people buy common goods. Companies such as Amazon and Walmart have introduced thousands of goods via their online platform by selling products offered by third-party vendors. However, some recent trends have brought up an interesting issue: Who is liable for the dangers posed by third-party products that harm consumers? In this article, we’ll explore that question.
The rise of third-party marketplace sales
Amazon and Walmart have one thing in common. They both let third-party vendors sell products through their websites. At times, consumers might be unaware that they are dealing with third-party sellers and not the retailers themselves.
Though convenient and affordable, marketplace services have also raised issues with oversight concerning the safety of the products sold. Third-party sellers could be selling products made abroad, lacking quality control, or failing to adhere to American safety standards.
As such, unsafe products ranging from electronics, products for children, batteries, furniture, and appliances have made their way into consumer homes.
Federal safety officials increase pressure on Online retailers
In regard to online marketplaces, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has adopted a more aggressive approach to addressing the responsibilities that online marketplaces have to protect consumers from dangerous products. In particular, regulators have suggested that online marketplaces like Amazon might be held accountable for selling dangerous items through their platforms, especially if the marketplace has anything to do with storing, delivering, or selling the goods in question.
Such an approach is aimed at ensuring that online marketplaces cannot escape liability due to the involvement of third-party sellers. Consumers generally tend to trust reputable sellers that guarantee the safety of products available on their site. Yet nowadays, recall incidents with third-party products occur rather frequently.
Common injuries linked to defective online products
Online sale of harmful products can result in dangerous situations, such as injury or even death. Below is the list of the most common injuries that can be sustained as a result of buying faulty foods via Internet marketplaces:
- Burns resulting from faulty electronic gadgets and batteries;
- Falls from faulty furniture;
- Choking associated with children’s toys;
- Cuts and lacerations;
- Injuries from fire;
- Electrocutions.
Some defective products may even result in death.
Can Amazon or Walmart be held responsible?
Product liability laws are currently undergoing major changes due to new rulings regarding the application of these laws in relation to traditional rules involving marketplaces. There are cases where consumers can sue companies like Amazon and Walmart for injuries sustained from products purchased through their websites or in person.
Some of the criteria that could determine liability include:
- If the retailer were in control of the purchase and shipping process.
- Storage of the defective product in the company’s warehouse.
- Involvement in payment transactions.
- Knowledge about safety issues.
It may be possible for a consumer to claim damages against several defendants under Florida’s product liability laws.
Talk to a Florida Product Liability Lawyer Today
Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of consumers who have been injured by a dangerous or defective consumer product. Call our Florida personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your case right away.
