Burned by a Faulty Appliance? Legal Recourse in Michigan

Burn injuries are among the most painful and traumatic injuries a person can endure. They can leave lasting physical scars, emotional trauma, and financial burdens that disrupt every part of your life. When that injury happens because a product failed to function safely, the sense of betrayal cuts even deeper.

You trusted the product. You used it the way it was intended. You had every reason to believe it was safe. But it wasn’t—and now you're living with the consequences.

This isn’t just an accident. It could be a failure of the company that made or sold the product. Manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure their products are safe for everyday use. When they violate that trust through poor design, shoddy production, or lack of proper warnings, they can and should be held accountable.

At Marko Law, we stand up for people who’ve been hurt by products they never should have had to fear. If you've suffered a burn injury from a faulty appliance, we’re here to fight for the justice—and the compensation—you deserve.

What Makes an Appliance “Faulty”?

Design Defects

A design defect means the product was flawed from the beginning—before it was even built. The issue lies in the blueprint. The product may function exactly as it was designed to, but the design itself is inherently dangerous.

Under Michigan law, if a product’s design makes it unreasonably dangerous for its intended use, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable. That means you don’t have to prove negligence—you just have to show the design put you at risk when used properly.

This could include:

• A heating element positioned too close to an external surface
• No automatic shut-off for overheating
• Poor ventilation that traps heat and sparks fires

Manufacturing Defects

Even a well-designed appliance can become dangerous if something goes wrong during the production process. A manufacturing defect occurs when an individual unit or batch of products deviates from the intended design and becomes hazardous.

This can happen when:

• Quality control fails
• Inferior materials are used
• A component is assembled incorrectly
• Electrical wiring is improperly installed

Failure to Warn or Instruct

Some products carry inherent risks, even when designed and manufactured correctly. That’s why companies are legally obligated to provide clear warnings and instructions to minimize the chances of injury.

If a product doesn’t come with:

• Proper warning labels
• Instructions for safe operation
• Hazard disclosures for known dangers

—then that’s called a failure to warn, and it can be the basis for a strong legal claim.

Michigan Product Liability Law Explained

Michigan’s Product Liability Statute: MCL 600.2945 - 600.2949a

Michigan's product liability laws are outlined in MCL 600.2945 through 600.2949a. These statutes govern claims involving injury or death caused by a product that was defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed.

Under this statute, a person injured by a product can file a civil lawsuit against:

• The manufacturer
• The distributor
• The seller (in some cases)

To win, the injured party must prove that the product was unreasonably dangerous when it left the control of the responsible party, and that the defect directly caused the injury.

The statute defines what counts as a product defect, how evidence must be presented, and when certain legal defenses—such as "state-of-the-art" defenses—can be raised by manufacturers.

Strict Liability vs. Negligence

Michigan law allows product liability claims under two key legal theories:

1. Strict Liability
   This means the manufacturer is automatically responsible for the harm caused by a defective product, even if they didn’t intend it or weren’t overtly careless. If a product is unreasonably dangerous and causes injury during normal use, you don’t have to prove intent—you just have to prove the defect.
2. Negligence
   This requires proving that the manufacturer or seller failed to exercise reasonable care in designing, producing, or warning about the product. Negligence can apply when safety protocols were ignored, warnings were missing, or testing was skipped.

Depending on the facts, you may have a case under both theories—and at Marko Law, we know how to pursue both angles aggressively.

Time Matters: Michigan’s Statute of Limitations

If you've been injured by a faulty appliance in Michigan, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit.

Don’t wait. Waiting too long can:

• Get your case dismissed
• Make evidence harder to find
• Undermine your right to recover compensation

Even if you're still undergoing treatment or unsure who's at fault, it’s critical to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Manufacturers

This is the first place we look. The manufacturer is often the primary party responsible in a product liability case. They’re the ones who:

• Designed the product
• Chose the materials
• Assembled or produced it
• Established safety standards (or failed to)

Distributors and Suppliers

Even if the product was made by someone else, the company that distributed it can still be liable. Distributors serve as the middleman between manufacturers and retailers. They are responsible for:

• Ensuring the safety of the products they deliver
• Notifying retailers of recalls or known dangers
• Removing defective units from the supply chain

Retailers

Yes, even the store where you bought the appliance—big box or small business—can be held responsible. Under Michigan law, retailers are expected to:

• Sell only safe products
• Remove recalled or dangerous items from their shelves
• Provide adequate warnings and instructions, when applicable

Landlords or Employers

If you were burned by an appliance that was provided to you—not one you purchased yourself—you may have a claim against the person or organization that supplied it.

This includes:

• Landlords who furnish apartments with outdated, unmaintained, or recalled appliances
• Employers who install faulty industrial equipment or heating devices on job sites
• Property managers or contractors who overlook safety inspections

In these cases, it may fall under premises liability or even gross negligence, depending on the facts. You may also have a right to workers’ compensation, third-party claims, or both.

What Compensation Can You Pursue?

Medical Expenses (Past and Future)

Burns often require:

• Emergency room visits
• Skin graft surgeries
• Ongoing wound care
• Physical therapy
• Specialized burn unit treatment

If you’ve incurred medical costs—or anticipate future care—we’ll fight to recover every dollar. Your claim should reflect the full cost of healing, including prescriptions, mobility aids, and long-term rehabilitation.

Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity

You may have missed work during recovery. But for many burn victims, the impact runs deeper:

• Inability to return to the same job
• Need to reduce hours or change careers
• Loss of future promotions or benefits

If your injury affects your ability to earn a living, we can seek compensation for lost income—past, present, and future.

Pain and Suffering

The pain from a burn is often intense, prolonged, and deeply personal. You may experience:

• Chronic nerve pain
• Difficulty sleeping or moving
• Emotional trauma or PTSD

Michigan law allows recovery for non-economic damages like physical pain and emotional suffering. We work to tell your story fully—to ensure that invisible wounds are valued, not ignored.

Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement

Burns can leave permanent marks—on your body and in your life. Scarring, loss of mobility, or disfigurement can impact:

• Your self-esteem
• Your relationships
• Your ability to move freely or enjoy life as you once did

These injuries deserve acknowledgment and restitution. We ensure that juries and insurers see you as a person, not a case file.

Punitive Damages in Extreme Cases

If a company knew its appliance was dangerous—or deliberately ignored safety standards—Michigan courts may award punitive damages. This isn’t just about compensation. It’s about punishment and prevention. It sends a clear message: cutting corners comes at a price.

You’re Not Alone—Let’s Get to Work

If you’ve been burned by a defective appliance, know this: you have legal options—and you don’t have to face this alone. You didn’t ask for this pain. You didn’t deserve the medical bills, the time off work, or the trauma. But now you have a choice: let it go, or fight back.

At Marko Law, we’re here to fight with you—and for you. We’ve stood beside countless injury victims across Michigan, and we don’t back down from holding corporations, landlords, or negligent parties accountable. When the system fails, we step in.

But don’t wait. The longer you delay, the harder it becomes to prove your case. Evidence can disappear. Appliances can be thrown out. Deadlines can pass. Michigan’s statute of limitations for product liability is strict—so taking fast, decisive action matters.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com

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