Amazon changes product liability policy

The world’s largest online retailer announced recently that it was changing its policy related to injuries customers receive from third-party products they bought from its site. Up until the announcement, Amazon had maintained that the third-party seller was responsible for the injuries, and while many courts agreed, Amazon reversed course, offering consumers more protection and better options.

Under the new policy, consumers who are injured by a third-party’s defective product can seek up to $1,000 in damages from Amazon, though the company will make no claims of liability under these payments. Amazon is also encouraging its vendors to purchase product liability insurance, a move that will also help consumers who are injured by defective prodcuts.

Read more about the shift in policy here.