Car Seat Injury Lawyer Michigan: When Safety Devices Fail

Few moments are more terrifying than witnessing your child injured—especially in a moment when they were supposed to be protected. You did everything right. You chose a car seat that met all the safety ratings. You followed every instruction. You trusted the brand. But instead of shielding your child, the car seat failed in the moment that mattered most.

Burns, broken bones, head trauma—injuries no child should have to suffer. You may be dealing with sleepless nights, hospital visits, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Worse still is the anger: knowing that the very product designed to save your child may be the reason they’re hurt.

Car seats aren’t optional—they’re legally required. They are supposed to be the gold standard of safety for our most vulnerable passengers. But when manufacturers cut corners, ignore warning signs, or rush defective products to market, children pay the price.

At Marko Law, we don’t accept excuses. We hold manufacturers, distributors, and any negligent party accountable when safety becomes a source of harm. Our mission is simple: fight for families, expose corporate failures, and make sure no parent has to go through this without a powerful legal team on their side.

Michigan Product Liability Law: What You Need to Know

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

Michigan’s product liability laws are governed by MCL 600.2945 through 600.2949a. These statutes define the rules for suing a manufacturer, distributor, or seller for injuries caused by defective or dangerous products—including child safety equipment like car seats.

You may have a valid claim if:

• The car seat was defectively designed
• A manufacturing flaw made it unsafe
• The company failed to warn about known risks or proper use

Strict Liability: No Excuses for Unsafe Products

Under Michigan law, companies can be held strictly liable if:

• The product left their control in a defective condition
• The defect made it unreasonably dangerous when used as intended
• The defect directly caused injury

Statute of Limitations: What Parents Need to Know

In Michigan, most product liability claims must be filed within three years of the injury. But when the injured person is a minor, the clock pauses—the statute of limitations is “tolled” until the child turns 18. After that, they typically have one additional year to file a claim.

PIP Complications: Car Seats and Michigan’s Auto Insurance Laws

Michigan is a no-fault state, which means your auto insurance covers medical expenses after a crash—regardless of who was at fault. But if a child is injured due to a car seat defect, that’s a different legal category.

Here's how it works:

• PIP may cover immediate medical care, but it does not compensate for pain and suffering or product-related negligence
• Product liability claims can pursue far broader damages, including emotional distress, future care, and punitive damages

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Seat Injury?

The Manufacturer

The manufacturer of the car seat—or any of its components—is often the primary target in a product liability claim. They're responsible for:

• Safe product design
• Proper testing and quality control
• Accurate labeling and instructions

If a design flaw, structural weakness, or production error led to injury, the manufacturer may be strictly liable—meaning you don’t need to prove they were careless, just that the seat was defective and caused harm.

This includes companies that manufacture:

• The shell of the seat
• Harness systems
• LATCH attachments
• Foam padding or other safety elements

The Retailer or Distributor

Even if the car seat worked as designed, the retailer or distributor may be held liable if:

• They sold an expired or recalled product
• The seat was improperly stored or handled
• The product was sold without proper warnings or instructions

The Vehicle Manufacturer (Automaker)

In some cases, the injury wasn’t solely caused by the car seat—but by the vehicle’s design or installation system. For example:

• A poorly designed rear seat may prevent secure installation
• Integrated car seat systems may fail to lock or protect properly
• Vehicle safety features may interfere with car seat function

Caregivers, Daycares, or Transportation Providers

In cases where your child was injured while in someone else’s care—such as at a daycare, school, or in a rideshare—the organization or caregiver may also be liable if:

• They used a recalled, damaged, or expired seat
• The car seat was installed incorrectly
• They ignored known safety risks

What Evidence Strengthens a Car Seat Injury Case?

Photos of the Car Seat and Injuries

Visual documentation is crucial. As soon as possible, take clear, detailed photos of:

• The car seat after the crash or incident
• Any visible defects (broken buckles, cracks, torn straps)
• How the seat was positioned or installed
• Your child’s injuries—immediately after the event and during recovery

Crash Reports and EMS Documentation

Official records from the scene matter. Be sure to collect:

• The police or crash report, which may mention equipment failure
• Emergency medical services (EMS) documentation of your child’s injuries
• Any notes about how the car seat was secured or whether it functioned properly during impact

Recall Notices and CPSC Alerts

A car seat that’s been recalled or flagged by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) strengthens your case significantly. If the manufacturer knew—or should have known—about the defect, and failed to act, that’s grounds for negligence or even punitive damages.

Marko Law conducts deep product safety research to find:

• Related injuries nationwide
• Prior lawsuits or claims
• Hidden defect histories or suppressed testing results

Purchase History and Product Registration

Proof of purchase shows:

• Where and when the car seat was bought
• Batch or serial numbers that may match known defective products
• Whether the seat was within warranty or expired at the time of injury

If you registered the product with the manufacturer, we can also investigate whether they fulfilled their legal obligation to notify you of recalls.

Expert Analysis of Design or Manufacturing Flaws

We work with nationally recognized experts in:

• Child product safety
• Mechanical engineering
• Crash reconstruction

These experts can inspect the seat, review documentation, and testify about how and why the product failed. Their insights are often key to persuading juries or pushing manufacturers to settle for full value.

What Compensation Can You Seek?

Medical Bills (Emergency and Ongoing)

Burn units, emergency surgeries, intensive care stays, pediatric rehabilitation, follow-up care—the medical costs of a serious child injury can be staggering. You shouldn't be left holding the bill for a company’s failure.

We fight for recovery of all medical-related expenses, including:

• ER visits and ambulance transport
• Surgeries, medications, and hospital stays
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Future medical needs tied to the injury

Pain and Suffering of the Child & Emotional Distress of the Parent

A child’s pain is heartbreaking—and in Michigan, that pain has legal weight. Children are entitled to damages for:

• Physical pain
• Trauma and psychological effects
• Fear, confusion, and post-injury anxiety

Future Care Needs and Diminished Quality of Life

For serious injuries—such as brain trauma, spinal injuries, or disfigurement—the road ahead can include:

• Lifelong therapy
• Special education services
• Home modifications
• Assistance with daily tasks

Permanent Disability or Disfigurement

Some injuries change a child’s life forever. Michigan law allows additional compensation for:

• Permanent physical limitations
• Visible scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of function or developmental delays

Punitive Damages

In cases where a manufacturer knew about a defect, ignored warnings, or concealed safety risks, we may pursue punitive damages. These are meant to punish reckless behavior and stop future harm—not just to compensate you, but to send a message.

Punitive damages may apply when:

• The product had prior recalls or lawsuits
• Internal documents show suppressed testing or cover-ups
• The company failed to notify consumers of known dangers

Your Child Deserves Justice

If your child was hurt by a car seat that was supposed to protect them, you are not powerless—and you are not to blame. You did what any loving parent would do: trusted a product designed for safety. The failure wasn’t yours. It was theirs.

You have legal rights. And at Marko Law, we’re here to make sure those rights are respected—and enforced.

But don’t wait. Every day that passes, evidence fades. Manufacturers may change designs. Witnesses forget. Critical documents get lost. Michigan law places strict time limits on when you can file a claim, even when the injured person is a child.

The time to act is now.

Let our team investigate. Let us hold the corporations and careless parties accountable. And let us fight like hell for the justice your child deserves.

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