In Michigan, if you suffer an injury due to a defect in a product that you are using, you may have a case for compensation from the product’s designer, manufacturer, or seller, depending on the circumstances. However, with the growing prevalence of online shopping, it can be more difficult to determine who the seller actually is. For example, if you purchase a defective product through Amazon, should you pursue compensation from Amazon itself, or from the company that uses Amazon to sell its products? To answer this question, it is helpful to examine Michigan’s product liability laws, as well as recent defective product cases involving Amazon throughout the United States.

Who Is Liable for Defective Product Injuries in Michigan?

Michigan law establishes a high standard for demonstrating negligence in a defective product case. Depending on the situation, you may need strong evidence of some or all of the following:

For those living in and around Grand Rapids, US-131 is an almost unavoidable travel route, whether you are simply driving around town or taking a trip to the Upper Peninsula or south into Indiana and the surrounding states. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous roads in Michigan. The intersection with Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids is especially dangerous, but car accidents are common across the entire highway. If you or your loved one was involved in a vehicle collision, an experienced attorney can help you bring a personal injury claim against any at-fault parties for your damages.

Recent Accidents Serve as a Sobering Example

In recent weeks, multiple accidents just south of Grand Rapids brought to light just how dangerous US-131 can be for all motorists on that road. The events, which took place in Allegan County, started when a pedestrian was struck by a semi-truck after leaving his vehicle. As traffic backed up due to the accident, two more collisions occurred, involving multiple large trucks and passenger vehicles. In total, three people died in these accidents, and several others were injured.

Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding fatal collisions in winter weather conditions, Michigan was rated as the most dangerous state for winter driving in 2019. During the three-year time period of the data collection, there were 49 average annual fatalities in Michigan due to winter vehicle accidents, which is 19 more than the next highest state. With injury risks this high, it is crucial that you understand how to protect yourself from winter car crashes, as well as what to do if you or a loved one is injured.

Winter Driving Safety Tips in Michigan

With the proper safety precautions, you may be able to avoid winter car accidents entirely. The Michigan State Department offers several helpful suggestions for safe winter driving, including:

If you are injured in an accident, you may think that your case for compensation rests on the ability to demonstrate the negligent actions of an individual person who is responsible. While it is true that many personal injury cases, especially those involving car accidents, have an individual defendant, it is also possible for a business entity to be liable for your injuries. These cases can be more complicated, but with the help of an experienced attorney, it is also often possible to obtain greater compensation.

Circumstances in Which a Business Can Be Negligent

There are a wide variety of situations in which a business may be fully or partially responsible for injuries suffered in an accident. Some of the most common include:

• When an accident occurs on the business’s property. According to Michigan premises liability law, the owner of a property has a duty of care to ensure safe conditions for lawful visitors. If an injury occurs in a store, restaurant, or other business because the business owner failed to reasonably address a hazard that they should have known about, the business may be liable for damages.
• When an accident occurs because of a defective product made by the business. Design defects and manufacturing defects can both result in dangerous products that can injure or harm users. If there are reasonable measures the business could have taken to promote safer production or prevent defects, the business can be held responsible.
• When an accident occurs because of the negligent actions of a business’s employee. Common examples include semi-truck accidents related to a failure of the trucking company to enforce safety regulations, and nursing home abuse or neglect by a staff member if the owner or operator fails to reasonably intervene. 
• When the actions of a business contribute to the cause of an accident. One specific example is established under a statute known as the “Dram Shop Act,” which states that a business that serves alcohol to a minor or visibly intoxicated person can be liable for injuries resulting from that person’s intoxication.

Pursuing Compensation From a Negligent Business

When compared to individual defendants, businesses often have greater resources to hire a skilled legal team to defend them against claims of negligence. If you are seeking compensation from a business for your injuries, you need an experienced attorney who can hold his ground in settlement negotiations or litigation to resolve your claim. That said, businesses also often have higher liability insurance limits than individuals, so there may be more compensation available to cover the full extent of your damages if your claim is successful.

Nursing home abuse and neglect are serious problems throughout the United States, affecting approximately 5 million people each year. Many victims are afraid or uncertain as to how they can stop the abuse, and it is not always easy for a victim’s family members to recognize that abuse is happening. If you have a loved one who is living in an elder care facility, it is important that you watch out for possible signs of abuse so that you can protect your loved one and take legal action.

Common Indicators of Nursing Home Abuse in Grand Rapids

Entrusting your family member’s care with another party is often a difficult decision to make, but in most circumstances, it is necessary if your loved one cannot live on his or her own anymore. Any of the following signs can possibly point to nursing home abuse or neglect: