California court holds Amazon responsible for 3rd party FBA supplier batteries

[Dewey]

California Court rules that Amazon does have liability for a defective product

The opinion in a recent ruling against Amazon lays out the entire basis of product liability in California and how Amazon’s attempt to shield itself from liability was really a smoke screen for its true role in the chain of distribution.

www.bicycleretailer.com

The implications of the decision by the CA Court of Appeal for e-bikes and batteries bought from Fulfilment By Amazon (FBA) sellers is discussed with Amazon potentially pressuring suppliers to hold product liability insurance policies that indemnify them. The article touches on the effect of subsequent price increases on competition with Walmart, but would effect new or smaller suppliers, a quick Google search shows one source suggesting a $1 million product liability policy for a custom motorcycle builder would cost $11,500 per year.

 

[john peck]

Here's the quote:

First, Amazon, like conventional retailers, may be the only member of the distribution chain reasonably available to an injured plaintiff who purchases a product on its website.

Second, Amazon, again like conventional retailers, “may play a substantial part in insuring that the product is safe or may be in a position to exert pressure on the manufacturer to that end; the retailer’s strict liability thus serves as an added incentive to safety.”

Third, Amazon, like conventional retailers, has the capacity to adjust the cost of compensating injured plaintiffs between itself and the third-party sellers in the course of their ongoing relationship.

Will this mean that, eBay will be responsible if seller decides to sell defective products?
What about Craigslist? Facebook Marketplace, etc?

Also, will conventional retailers have been conventionally responsible on behalf of manufactures?

So for example, if a bike store sells an ebike, and battery exploded, will the store be responsible? Not the manufacture?

Ebay responsible? ......Hahaha!