Consumers have the right to know the product's useful safe life and not be misled by product sellers. When consumers purchase products, such as cosmetics, food, medications, and even household items like batteries and fire extinguishers, knowing the shelf life of the item is vital. Using an item with a misrepresented useful safe life can cause harm to the consumer if they use the product past the expiration date. Cosmetics can cause allergic reactions, food can make someone fall ill, certain medications can be toxic or ineffective, and fire extinguishers may fail to put out fires.

Idaho Statute 6-1403 outlines liabilities concerning the useful safe life of the products and the length of time during which the product sellers can be held liable.

Useful Safe Life Product Liability Claims in Idaho

Idaho Statute 6-1403 defines “useful safe life” as the time that the product was delivered and continues until the time the product would typically work or is safely stored. If the harm caused by a product occurred after the product’s listed useful safe life, the seller cannot be held liable for any damages. However, the product seller may be found liable for any harm caused if the seller guaranteed that the product was safer for a longer period of time than it was.

Is the Product Seller Liable for Harm After Ten Years of Product Use?

A product liability claim that maintains the harm was caused more than ten years after the time the product was delivered can only be challenged if convincing evidence is presented. There are some instances in which the product seller can be held liable after the ten-year mark:

  • The product seller expressly warrants that the product can be safely used for a time period longer than ten years.
  • The product seller intentionally misrepresents and hides facts about the product, which harms the consumer.
  • The harm from the product was caused by long exposure to the defective product.
  • The damage-causing part of the product was present at the time of delivery but was not found until later.
  • The harm caused by the product did not present itself until 10 years after the product was used.   

GLP Attorneys firmly believes that companies and manufacturers should be held responsible if consumers do not have access to safe products. If you believe that you or a loved one was harmed by a product due to defects, a seller’s neglect, or product misrepresentation, it is recommended to get in contact with a product liability attorney as soon as possible.

Contact an Experienced Product Liability Lawyer

Our product liability attorneys have decades of collective experience challenging corporations and manufacturers to do better for their customers and take responsibility for their mistakes. If you have a potential product liability case you would like to discuss, call our main office line at 800.273.5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.