MA S1218

Creates new Chapter 93M establishing liability protections for non-manufacturing sellers (retailers, distributors) in products liability lawsuits involving defective products that cause personal injury, death, or property damage

Requires manufacturers to indemnify and hold harmless sellers against losses from products liability actions, including court costs, attorney fees, and damages, except where the seller's own misconduct caused the harm

Shields non-manufacturing sellers from liability unless the claimant proves the seller participated in product design, altered the product, controlled warning content, made false representations, or had actual knowledge of a defect

Creates a rebuttable presumption that manufacturers and sellers are not liable if the product complied with mandatory federal safety standards at the time of manufacture

Allows sellers to file an affidavit identifying the manufacturer to be relieved of strict liability claims, but sellers remain liable if the manufacturer is in bankruptcy, has no U.S. presence, or cannot be correctly identified