If you’ve been injured by a defective product in Michigan, understanding the statute of limitations is crucial. Learn about filing deadlines, exceptions, and how an experienced attorney can help protect your right to compensation.
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Product Liability Statute of Limitations in Michigan: Don’t Miss Your Deadline

When a defective product causes injury, understanding when you need to file your claim is just as important as knowing if you have a case. In Michigan, strict time limits apply to product liability lawsuits, and missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from receiving compensation. At the Law Offices of Henry Hanflik, we’ve helped injured clients navigate these complex timelines for over five decades, securing millions in compensation for those harmed by dangerous products.

Michigan’s Product Liability Statute of Limitations: The Basics

Michigan law establishes specific timeframes within which you must file a product liability lawsuit. Failing to act within these periods means losing your right to seek compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be. In addition to general product liability claims, individuals facing solar performance guarantee issues should also be mindful of these deadlines. Prompt action is essential, as delays could jeopardize not only your claim but also your ability to hold manufacturers accountable for any defects. Consulting with a legal professional can help ensure that you navigate these timeframes effectively.

The standard statute of limitations for product liability claims in Michigan is three years from the date of injury. This means you have exactly 36 months from when you were hurt to file your lawsuit in court. This timeline applies to most product liability cases, whether based on manufacturing defects, design flaws, or failure to warn.

However, what seems straightforward can quickly become complicated. The clock doesn’t always start ticking on the day of your accident. In some cases, the three-year period begins when you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) your injury and its connection to the defective product.

Discovery Rule: When Your Deadline May Be Extended

Michigan recognizes what’s called the “discovery rule” in certain circumstances. This rule acknowledges that some injuries or their connection to a defective product aren’t immediately apparent. For example, if you develop a health condition from exposure to a toxic substance in a product, you might not know about your injury until symptoms appear years later.

In these cases, the statute of limitations may begin when you discover (or should have discovered with reasonable diligence) that you were injured and that the product caused your injury. However, courts apply this rule conservatively, and proving when you discovered your injury can be challenging without experienced legal representation.

Statute of Repose: The Ultimate Deadline

Beyond the statute of limitations, Michigan also has a statute of repose for product liability claims. This establishes an absolute deadline regardless of when you discovered your injury. For most products, Michigan’s statute of repose is 10 years from the date the product was first purchased or delivered to its original owner.

This means that even if you only recently discovered your injury was caused by a defective product, you generally cannot file a lawsuit if more than 10 years have passed since the product was first sold. This can create significant barriers for those injured by older products.

Special Circumstances That May Affect Your Deadline

Several factors can alter the standard three-year statute of limitations in Michigan product liability cases:

Claims Involving Minors

If the injured person is under 18, the statute of limitations may be extended. Generally, a minor has until their 19th birthday to file a claim, or one year after reaching adulthood, whichever provides more time.

Mental Incapacity

If the injured person is mentally incapacitated at the time of injury, the statute of limitations may be “tolled” or paused until the disability is removed. However, specific requirements must be met to qualify for this exception.

Wrongful Death Claims

When a defective product causes death, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is generally three years from the date of death, not the date of the injury that led to death.

The complexity of these rules underscores why consulting with a knowledgeable product liability attorney as soon as possible after an injury is crucial. At the Law Offices of Henry Hanflik, our attorneys can analyze your specific situation and determine exactly what deadlines apply to your case.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

We’ve seen too many valid claims dismissed simply because the injured person waited too long to take action. Even if you’re unsure whether you have a case, consulting with an attorney early can protect your rights. Our firm offers free case evaluations, and we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

If you’ve been injured by a defective product in Michigan, contact the Law Offices of Henry Hanflik today. Our experienced product liability attorneys will review your case, explain your options, and ensure your claim is filed within all applicable deadlines. With over $100 million recovered for our clients, we have the experience and resources to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.