Michigan Defective Product Attorneys

Statute of Limitations

3 years

3 years from injury (MCL § 600.5805(2)); discovery rule applies in limited circumstances.

Statute of Repose

No repose

No general products statute of repose; 6-year repose for improvements to real property (MCL § 600.5839).

Strict Liability Standard

Modified strict

Modified strict liability — risk-utility test for design defects (Owens v. Allis-Chalmers); MCL § 600.2946 codifies defenses, including state-of-the-art and FDA-compliance immunity for prescription drugs.

Comparative Fault Rule

50%

Modified comparative fault, 50% bar (MCL § 600.2959) — non-economic damages barred if plaintiff is 50%+ at fault.

Products Liability Statute

MCL § 600.2945

MCL § 600.2945 to § 600.2949a — tort reform products code, including FDA-compliance drug immunity.

Typical attorney fee

33%

33%–40% contingency — no fee unless you win

Michigan’s products-liability framework is heavily shaped by 1995 tort reform (MCL § 600.2945 to § 600.2949a). The state applies risk-utility for design defects but with a "state of the art" defense and the controversial drug-manufacturer FDA-compliance IMMUNITY under MCL § 600.2946(5) — drug manufacturers can be liable only if they bribed FDA officials or withheld required information. Michigan is a modified comparative fault state with a 50% bar (MCL § 600.2959). The 3-year statute of limitations runs under MCL § 600.5805(2). Michigan has no general products statute of repose, though some industries have specific repose periods. Detroit’s auto industry (GM, Ford, Stellantis) makes Michigan a hub for auto-product litigation.