Can I sue a product manufacturer for a defective product?
How the answer differs across 7 jurisdictions
IrelandFull article Yes, you can sue the manufacturer in Ireland for injury caused by a defective product under the Civil Liability Act 1961, which imposes strict liability on producers for harm caused by defective goods.
European UnionFull article A product is 'defective' under EU law if it does not provide the safety a person is entitled to expect, considering its presentation, intended use, and reasonable expectations of the public.
AustraliaFull article Yes, you can sue an overseas manufacturer in Australia under the Australian Consumer Law if the product was supplied in trade or commerce and caused injury due to a safety defect.
IndiaFull article No-fault liability in India means the owner of a motor vehicle is legally liable to pay compensation for death or injury caused by the vehicle—even without proof of negligence—under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
US-CaliforniaFull article Yes, you can sue a product manufacturer in California for a defective product under strict liability, negligence, or breach of warranty — no need to prove the manufacturer was careless.
US-New YorkFull article Yes, a product manufacturer can be held strictly liable in New York for injuries caused by defective products under common law, even without proof of negligence.
JapanFull article Under Japan’s Product Liability Act, a plaintiff must prove: (1) the product had a defect, (2) damage occurred, and (3) a causal relationship existed between the defect and the damage.
Read Full Articles
IrelandA defective product injured me. Can I sue the manufacturer?
European UnionWhat makes a product 'defective' under EU product liability law?
AustraliaA defective product caused me serious injury. Can I sue the overseas manufacturer?
IndiaWhat is no-fault liability in accident cases?
US-CaliforniaCan I sue a product manufacturer for a defective product?
US-New YorkCan a product manufacturer be held strictly liable in New York?
JapanThree elements to prove under Product Liability Act?Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.