Amazon Can Be Liable in California for Defective Products (2)

Amazon.com can be held strictly liable in California to customers injured by defective products purchased in “marketplace” sales on its site, a state appeals court held Thursday.

The court reversed a trial court and reinstated claims by a woman who alleges harm from a defective laptop battery. The decision opens the door to Amazon’s liability in the state of nearly 40 million people if it isn’t overturned.

“As of right now, this is the law of California,” at least for cases with similar facts, said Jeremy Robinson, who argued the case for the injured woman, Angela Bolger. Those facts include ...