Report: Amazon found liable in California for third-party products

Amazon is reportedly now legally responsible in California for defective products sold by third-party vendors on its site.

According to the Times of San Diego, the state Fourth District Court of Appeal in California has overturned a ruling by a lower court that found Amazon did not have legal liability for damages caused by goods sold through its third-party online marketplace. The court ruled in favor of a woman who sued Amazon in January 2017 over injuries she suffered from a laptop battery she purchased from a third-party seller via the Amazon platform. The battery exploded, causing the plaintiff to receive third-degree burns.

Although Amazon did not sell the battery, the court found that the e-tail giant still holds liability because it controlled aspects of the transaction including marketing, billing, packaging and shipping. Amazon could not be reached for comment.