QUICK ANSWER
If you have been injured by a defective product in Scotland, the manufacturer is strictly liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 — you do not need to prove negligence, only that the product was defective and caused your injury. Compensation ranges from £2,000 for minor injuries to £200,000+ for serious cases. The time limit is 3 years, with a 10-year long-stop. Scottish Claims Helpline handles product liability claims on a no win no fee basis — complete the short form for a free assessment.
Injured by a Defective Product? You Could Be Owed Thousands.
When you buy a product, you have a right to expect it is safe. When a product is defective and causes you injury, the manufacturer should be held accountable. Whether you were burned by a faulty appliance, harmed by a defective medical device, or made ill by contaminated food, you deserve compensation.
Scottish Claims Helpline handles product liability claims across Scotland on a no win no fee basis. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, product liability is strict liability — you do not need to prove the manufacturer was careless or negligent. You only need to show the product was defective and the defect caused your injury.
How Much Could You Receive?
Compensation depends on the nature and severity of your injury:
| Injury Severity | Typical Award |
|---|
| Minor burns or allergic reaction | £2,000 – £8,000 |
| Moderate burns, scarring or fractures | £8,000 – £30,000 |
| Serious injury (medical device failure) | £30,000 – £100,000 |
| Catastrophic injury (vehicle defect, implant failure) | £100,000 – £200,000+ |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for general damages (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) only.
That’s not all. You can also recover all financial losses including lost earnings, medical treatment and rehabilitation, the cost of replacement products or equipment, and any ongoing care needs. For serious medical device injuries requiring revision surgery, these additional costs can add tens of thousands to your total settlement.
Who Can Claim?
Anyone injured by a defective product can claim — you do not need to be the person who purchased it. The claim is against the producer, own-brand manufacturer, or importer, not the retailer. It does not matter whether you bought the product new or second-hand, received it as a gift, or were simply using it at someone else’s property. Common claims arise from defective medical devices and implants, contaminated food and drinks, faulty vehicles and components, dangerous electrical equipment, defective children’s toys, and pharmaceutical products causing unexpected adverse reactions.
Product Liability Solicitors in Scotland
Product liability claims turn on the Consumer Protection Act 1987, which makes the producer strictly liable for a defective product without the need to prove negligence, and on identifying the right defender — the manufacturer, the importer into the UK, or the retailer where the producer cannot be identified. Scottish Claims Helpline refers product liability claims only to Scottish solicitors who specialise in them. A product liability solicitor preserves the product and its packaging as evidence, obtains the engineering or expert report that establishes the defect, checks recall notices and Trading Standards records, and pursues the producer’s insurer. Claims must be brought within 3 years of the injury and, separately, within 10 years of the product being put into circulation.
Product Liability Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Compensation depends on the severity of your injury. Minor injuries from defective products typically attract £2,000 to £8,000. Moderate injuries such as burns or fractures attract £8,000 to £30,000. Serious injuries from defective medical devices or vehicles can attract £30,000 to £200,000+. All financial losses including lost earnings and medical treatment are recoverable on top.
No. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, product liability is strict liability. You only need to prove the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. You do not need to prove the manufacturer was careless or negligent — this is a significant advantage for claimants.
3 years from the date of injury or date of knowledge under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, subject to a 10-year long-stop from the date the product was first supplied. After 10 years, no claim can be brought under the Consumer Protection Act regardless of when the injury occurred.
Any product that is not as safe as persons generally are entitled to expect. Common claims involve defective medical devices and implants, contaminated food and drink, faulty vehicles and components, dangerous electrical equipment, defective children’s toys, and pharmaceutical products causing unexpected adverse reactions.
Yes. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, the claim is against the producer or importer, not the seller. It does not matter whether you bought the product new or second-hand, or whether you bought it at all — you can claim if you were injured by the defective product.
The Consumer Protection Act 1987 imposes an absolute 10-year time limit from the date the product was first supplied by the producer. After 10 years, no claim can be brought under the Act, even if the injury only occurred recently. This is particularly significant for medical device claims where problems may emerge years after implantation.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back at a time that suits. They will listen to what happened, tell you straight away if you have a claim, and explain exactly how the process works — all completely free and with no obligation. If you decide to go ahead, everything is handled for you on a no win no fee basis from start to finish. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by
David Gildea, Scottish Claims Helpline. Last reviewed: September 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).