Shoppers turn to Amazon with the expectation that the products arriving at their doorsteps are safe, reliable, and what they were promised. Instead, countless consumers have opened packages to discover items that are broken, used, fake, or dangerously defective. From faulty electronics that spark fires to mislabeled supplements that jeopardize health, Amazon has profited while distributing products that put families in harm’s way. The devastating truth is that these are not isolated incidents; they represent a broader pattern of negligence where the world’s largest online retailer continues to allow questionable products to reach the hands of unsuspecting consumers.
Why You Should Choose Levin Law, P.A. to Represent You
At Levin Law, P.A., Our attorneys are not intimidated by the size or resources of the companies we pursue. Instead, we bring relentless focus, strategic strength, and a proven record of obtaining justice for individuals who have been harmed by corporate negligence. By trusting your case to Levin Law, P.A., you put seasoned trial lawyers in your corner who know how to force accountability and recover the compensation you deserve.
National Class Action Experience Against Major Corporations
Levin Law, P.A., stands ready to hold Amazon and other corporations accountable when they cut corners at the expense of consumer safety. With extensive national experience in class action and mass tort litigation, Levin Law, P.A. has taken on major corporations and forced them to answer for their misconduct.
Can You Sue Amazon for Defective Products?
Consumers who are hurt by defective products sold on Amazon now have a clearer path to seek compensation. Recent legal changes mean Amazon can be held responsible for product safety, not just the manufacturer, if dangerous items are sold through its platform or fulfillment services. Thanks to evolving federal and state law, holding Amazon accountable is possible when injuries or losses occur due to faulty products.
Amazon’s Growing Responsibility Under U.S. Law
In cases involving defective products sold through Amazon, understanding the concept of product liability is crucial. Under U.S. law, liability can extend beyond the manufacturer to include other parties in the supply chain, such as distributors and retailers.
2024 CPSC Ruling on Amazon’s Liability
The landmark 2024 ruling by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) clarified Amazon’s legal status as a "product distributor," not just a logistics provider. This distinction means Amazon holds significant legal responsibility for ensuring the products it distributes comply with safety standards, including notifying customers about any hazards and cooperating in product recalls.
State-Level Cases
At the state level, several landmark cases reinforce Amazon’s legal exposure for defective products. Notable examples include:
- California: Bolger v. Amazon.com, LLC (2020) established Amazon’s strict liability as a distributor responsible for injuries caused by third-party products.
- Illinois: Courts have held Amazon liable where the company exercised control over listings, fulfillment, and payment processing.
- Texas: Recent rulings have allowed negligence claims against Amazon based on its voluntary assumption of product safety duties.
- New York: Legal precedent has recognized Amazon’s role beyond a mere intermediary, imposing liability when it controls storage and shipping.
What This Means for Consumers Across the U.S.
These legal developments collectively signal enhanced protections for consumers nationwide. For those harmed by defective products bought on Amazon, the path to compensation is clearer and more accessible than ever, ensuring that the corporate giant can be held responsible for negligence and reckless distribution across all states.
Understanding Product Liability in Amazon Cases
When a defective product sold on Amazon causes harm, several parties may be held legally responsible, such as the manufacturer, the importer or brand owner, Amazon as the distributor, third-party sellers, and sometimes even those handling packaging and shipping. Taking on Amazon requires skilled attorneys who know how to prove negligence and expose failures in corporate safety procedures—legal guidance is essential for success in these complicated cases.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Defective Product?
In product liability claims involving Amazon, several parties can be held responsible, including:
- The product manufacturer
- The importer or brand owner
- Amazon as the distributor
- Third-party sellers who list and sell products on Amazon
- Packaging and shipping entities (when applicable)
Navigating claims against a corporate giant like Amazon requires more than just legal knowledge; it demands a dedicated legal team skilled in confronting powerful corporate defense attorneys. Experienced attorneys build comprehensive strategies to uncover evidence of negligence, corporate oversight failures, and breach of safety obligations.
Design Defects, Manufacturing Defects, and Failure to Warn
When a product causes harm, liability can arise from several types of defects, such as flaws in the product's design, errors during manufacturing, or inadequate warnings about dangers. Each defect type requires proving different elements, but all can form the basis for holding sellers or manufacturers responsible.
In Amazon-related cases, even if Amazon did not make the product, it may share liability if it failed to act on known risks or warnings about products sold through its platform, especially where it exercises control over product safety oversight. This means affected consumers can pursue claims based on various defect theories, with attorneys investigating the nature of the defect and the company’s response or failure to warn
Amazon’s Role as a Distributor Under the CPSA
In July 2024, the CPSC ruled that Amazon qualifies as a “distributor” under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) for millions of hazardous products sold by third-party sellers through its “Fulfilled by Amazon” program. This ruling means Amazon can no longer disclaim liability merely because it is not the manufacturer or direct seller. Instead, Amazon must actively ensure product safety, notify consumers of hazards, remove dangerous products from shelves, and offer refunds or replacements.
Who May Be Eligible to File an Amazon Defective Product Lawsuit?
If an individual or family has suffered injuries or damages due to a defective or dangerous product purchased on Amazon, an experienced product liability attorney can be instrumental in helping to seek justice and compensation. These cases often involve navigating complex issues related to whether Amazon or a third-party seller should be held liable and gathering detailed evidence linking the product defect to the injuries sustained. An attorney can provide guidance throughout the legal process, help document your claim thoroughly, and stand up against Amazon’s powerful legal teams to ensure that consumers’ rights are fully protected.
Those who may be eligible for filing an Amazon defective product lawsuit include:
- Consumers injured by a defective product purchased on Amazon
- Family members of individuals harmed by faulty goods
- Individuals suffering property damage due to hazardous Amazon products
- Plaintiffs in wrongful death cases linked to defective items
- Buyers affected by products sold directly by Amazon or through third-party sellers
Buyers Who Purchased Through the “Fulfilled by Amazon” Program
It is important to understand that many products on Amazon are sold under the “Fulfilled by Amazon” program, where third-party sellers use Amazon’s logistics and distribution services. Despite the seller’s identity, Amazon’s increasing legal responsibility as a distributor means consumers have more avenues to hold the retail giant accountable. This program’s wide reach makes it essential for injured parties to consult with qualified attorneys who understand the nuances of product liability and can pursue claims effectively, regardless of whether the sale was through Amazon directly or a marketplace seller.
Examples of Defective Products Sold on Amazon
It has become alarmingly easy for consumers to receive defective and dangerous products when shopping on Amazon. With just a few clicks, customers can order items that arrive broken, unsafe, or even life-threatening, often without clear warnings or safeguards. Amazon’s vast marketplace and the “Fulfilled by Amazon” program mean third-party sellers can distribute hazardous goods that reach millions of households undetected or unchecked. The convenience of online shopping should never compromise safety, yet defective products continue to slip through, placing consumers at serious risk.
Some of the most well-documented defective products sold on Amazon include:
- Faulty carbon monoxide detectors that fail to alert users to deadly gas leaks
- Unsafe household appliances such as hairdryers with electrocution risks
- Flammable children’s clothing violating federal safety standards
- Exploding or defective batteries and various consumer electronics are prone to fires or malfunctions
- Hazardous toys and baby products that pose choking, poisoning, or injury risks
When products like these cause harm to vulnerable populations like babies and children, the stakes are unimaginably high. Companies like Amazon must be held fully accountable for the safety and well-being of every consumer affected by their negligence or failure to act.
Contact Levin Law, P.A. Today
When Amazon cuts corners and distributes unsafe products that can cause lifelong harm to individuals and entire families, Levin Law, P.A. stands ready to fight for justice and full compensation on behalf of victims. If someone has been harmed by a defective product purchased on Amazon, we offer a free consultation to help evaluate the claim and explore legal options.
Free Consultation for Amazon Defective Product Claims
We will ensure that consumers have powerful representation to challenge corporate negligence that puts lives at risk. Contact Levin Law, P.A. today to take the first step toward holding Amazon responsible for the harm caused by defective products.
