Texas product liability law sets clear expectations for the safety of the marketplace. As a manufacturer, ignoring quality standards or failing to properly label your goods can have lasting consequences for your business.

A liability claim can threaten your finances, reputation and business continuity. If someone initiates a case against your product design or safety protocols, knowing the specific arguments against you allows you to mount a more strategic defense.

Product liability categories

You have a responsibility to comply with state and federal safety standards when creating and testing your goods. If an individual is harmed by one of your products, they may seek recourse under these main arguments:

• Defective manufacturing: When a product is made incorrectly and does not match its intended design
• Flawed design: When the product design is unsafe (even when made correctly) and a safer, viable design is possible
• Failure to warn: When labels for nonobvious risks are inadequate or unclear

Being familiar with these key product liability cases can help you better anticipate how to respond to a lawsuit. Moreover, you become more aware of addressing these defects when performing quality checks on your products.

How claims are filed and judged

According to Texas law, claimants generally have 15 years from the date of the product’s sale to file a case. If the lawsuit moves forward, you will need to share information and evidence for your defense. Presenting proof that your business follows strict risk assessments to find and fix defective goods can support your argument in court.

You may also leverage the state’s modified comparative negligence rule to prove that an injury resulted from product misuse or ignoring clear warnings. However, your defense strategy may shift depending on whether the claim is based on negligence, strict liability or breach of warranty. Building a defense that safeguards your business interests often involves working with a legal professional.

Reducing your legal risks

Your obligation as a manufacturer is to prioritize consumer safety through strong quality control measures. Disputing a tort case against your business helps protect your brand and maintains your ongoing operations.