Professional liability holds experts accountable when their work causes harm. It applies when a client suffers a financial loss or other damage because a professional made a mistake, gave negligent advice, or failed to meet the accepted standard of care in their field. This is distinct from general liability, which covers physical injuries or property damage. The key is proving the professional breached their duty to the client, and that breach directly caused a measurable loss.

Product liability holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible for injuries caused by defective products. Claims generally fall into three categories: design defects (inherently unsafe from the start), manufacturing defects (an error made during production), and marketing defects (inadequate warnings or instructions). You don’t necessarily need a direct contract with the manufacturer to make a claim. If a product is unreasonably dangerous and causes injury during normal use, the company in the supply chain can be held liable for the resulting harm.

Employers can face direct liability lawsuits in specific, limited situations where the standard workers’ compensation “deal” does not apply. The most common is when an employer intentionally causes harm, such as assaulting an employee or knowingly removing a safety guard. Liability may also exist for severe workplace harassment, for injuries caused by a defective product the employer manufactured, or if the employer failed to carry the required workers’ compensation insurance, thereby losing its legal protection from lawsuits.