Mississippi
Product Liability Lawyer

Everyday products are supposed to make life easier, not more dangerous. But when a defective or dangerous product causes serious injury, life can take a turn for the worse in more ways than one. 

For many Mississippi families, this may mean mounting medical bills, lost income, physical pain, emotional trauma, and more, all because of a chest of drawers, a toy, a chemical herbicide, or other consumer product they never expected to be harmful.

If you or someone you love was hurt by a defective product, a Mississippi product liability lawyer from TopDog Law’s trusted legal network can help you understand your options. You may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries and hold manufacturers accountable under Mississippi product liability laws.

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Your Guide to Product Liability in Mississippi

James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

What Is Product Liability in Mississippi?

Product liability is the legal responsibility that manufacturers, distributors, or sellers have when a product they made or sold turns out to be unreasonably dangerous. In Mississippi, injured consumers can bring claims under the Mississippi Products Liability Act (MPLA) if a defective product caused them harm.

Under the MPLA, an injured person does not always have to prove that negligence occurred. Instead, they must show that the product was defective, unreasonably dangerous, and that the defect caused their injuries. This legal structure helps protect Mississippi consumers when everyday items, from children’s toys to prescription medications, fail to meet basic safety standards.

Types of Product Defects Under Mississippi Law

Mississippi product liability law recognizes several categories of product defects that may form the basis of a legal claim.

Design Defects

A design defect exists when a product is inherently dangerous due to its design or engineering. These products are dangerous even if they were manufactured perfectly. For example, a poorly designed infant sleeper that allows for unsafe sleeping positions could pose a suffocation risk, even if it was manufactured correctly.

Manufacturing Defects

A manufacturing defect happens when something goes wrong during the production process. An example would be a seatbelt that was properly designed but manufactured with a weak buckle that fails during a crash.

Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects)

Sometimes, the product itself is not flawed, but the manufacturer failed to provide adequate instructions or warnings. Failure to warn could involve medications that don’t list serious side effects, or power tools sold without proper safety labels.

Understanding what type of defect caused the injury is essential in building a strong Mississippi defective product lawsuit.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Mississippi Product Liability Claim?

Liability doesn’t always stop with the product’s manufacturer. Under Mississippi law, several parties can be held legally responsible, including:

  • Manufacturers, including companies that made the entire product or individual parts
  • Distributors and wholesalers, who moved the product along the supply chain
  • Retailers, even if they did not design or manufacture the item

Each of these parties may be responsible for placing a dangerous product into the hands of Mississippi consumers.

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Common Defective Products That Lead to Lawsuits

In Mississippi, defective product claims often involve:

  • Dangerous children’s toys with small parts or toxic components
  • Defective car seats and auto parts, like airbags or brakes
  • Recalled prescription drugs and defective medical devices
  • Electronic cigarettes and vape pens that overheat or explode
  • Household appliances that cause fires or electrical shocks
  • ATVS and UTVs that are prone to rollover
  • Contaminated food or beverages that cause serious illness
  • Unsafe construction equipment, including cranes and forklifts

If you or a loved one suffered injuries from one of these or any other defective product, you may have grounds to take legal action.

 

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Mississippi Product Liability Claim Process

Mississippi Product Liability Laws and Legal Standards

Mississippi law applies the Mississippi Products Liability Act to cases involving defective products that cause injury. The MPLA outlines what plaintiffs must prove to win compensation. It generally requires showing:

  • The product was defective and unreasonably dangerous
  • The defect existed at the time it left the manufacturer’s or seller’s control
  • The defect directly caused your injuries or damages

In most Mississippi product liability cases, strict liability applies. This means the injured person may not have to prove that the company acted carelessly—just that the product was defective and caused harm when used properly.

Statute of Limitations for Product Liability in Mississippi

Mississippi’s statute of limitations generally gives individuals three years from the date of injury to file a product liability claim. Once that deadline passes, you may not be able to pursue compensation. Waiting too long can still hurt your case in several other ways. Critical evidence may disappear, witnesses can forget important details, and other important evidence could be lost.

Some exceptions may apply depending on the nature of the defect or when it was discovered. That’s why speaking with a Mississippi product liability lawyer as soon as you can is essential.

Personal Injury Lawyer
James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

Comparative Fault in Mississippi Product Liability Cases

Mississippi follows the pure comparative fault rule. If the injured person is partially responsible for their injuries, they can still recover compensation, but the amount they receive will be reduced by their percentage of fault. 

Shared fault makes it even more important to work with an experienced Mississippi product liability attorney who can defend you against undue accusations of blame.

Examples of Mississippi Product Liability Lawsuits

Mississippi has seen a wide range of product-related injury claims. Some recent cases brought by Mississippi residents include:

  • Mississippi defective pharmaceutical product claims involving medications with harmful side effects
  • Mississippi defective medical device lawsuits, such as faulty surgical implants
  • Mississippi defective auto parts litigation for failed airbags and ignition switches
  • Mississippi defective children’s toy lawsuits involving unsafe materials that caused harm
  • Mississippi defective food product lawsuits tied to contamination and foodborne illness

Each case is unique, but they all reflect a breakdown in product safety that Mississippi law seeks to address.

What Compensation Is Available in Mississippi Defective Product Claims?

Compensation in a successful Mississippi product liability claim may include:

  • Medical costs, both past and future
  • Lost income due to missed work or reduced earning ability
  • Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Wrongful death damages, when a loved one is lost due to a defective product

Punitive damages may also be awarded in rare cases involving willful or malicious conduct by the manufacturer.

Class Actions and Mass Tort Options

When defective products harm many people across Mississippi and beyond, injured consumers may have the option of joining a mass tort litigation class action. 

Class actions combine many similar claims into a single lawsuit, often used when damages are relatively small but widespread. Mass torts, by contrast, allow each person to maintain an individual claim while still being part of a broader case, typically used when injuries are more severe or varied.

Personal injury litigation involving multiple similar lawsuits is typically tried as a mass tort. TopDog Law can connect you with an experienced Mississippi product lawyer near you who can explain your best legal options. 

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TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

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Jackson, MS 39201

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