What happens if I suffer an injury from an item I purchased on Facebook Marketplace?
Selling used items on Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and other online selling platforms has become commonplace. In fact, it has become even more popular during the pandemic. There are good reasons why these sites are so widely used: they are an easy and efficient way to save money, make money, and promote environmentally friendly practices. These sites capitalize on the idea that “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”
People sell a wide variety of items on these sites. They include anything from clothing, jewelry, and purses to machinery, tools, and playgrounds. In fact, playgrounds became extremely sought-after at the beginning of the pandemic due to the cost of lumber and low supply issues (and the fact there was not much else to do). It is this second grouping of items that raises cause for concern from both a personal injury and legal liability perspective. As such, while there are many benefits to selling things through these platforms, it is not without risk and both sellers and purchasers should be aware of them.
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About the Authors
A born-and-raised Barrie resident, Karen knows and loves her community. She is proud to be a partner in one of Canada’s most successful personal injury law firms—right in her own backyard. Karen joined Oatley Vigmond in 2013 as an associate lawyer. She holds a BA from Queen’s University and her Juris Doctor from Bond University in Australia. Prior to being called to the Bar in January 2013, Karen articled at a well-known personal injury law firm in Toronto.