Holding Manufacturers Accountable: Legal Support for Defective Product Injuries
Each day, consumers expect that the items they use—household appliances to health devices—are safe. Sadly, when products are faulty, they may lead to major harm or death. If you have been injured by a defective product, our knowledgeable lawyers can assist you in pursuing compensation and justice.
Product liability is the law that holds manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible for injuries from defective products. Unlike most other personal injury claims, product liability usually applies under strict liability, so you don’t have to prove negligence—you only have to show that the product was defective and that it harmed you.
Typical Types of Product Defects
- Design Defects: Defects inherent in the design of the product that render it unsafe, even when made properly.
- Manufacturing Defects: Production errors that cause a product to deviate from its planned design, rendering it hazardous.
- Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn): Insufficient instructions or warnings regarding a product’s hazards, causing misuse and harm.
Examples of Defective Products
- Cars: Defective brakes, airbags, or ignition systems.
- Medical Devices: Defective implants or surgical instruments.
- Consumer Electronics: Exploding batteries or faulty appliances.
- Children’s Toys: Choking substances or poisonous materials.
Potential Compensation
Injured victims of defective products might be entitled to:
- Medical costs
- Wages lost
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (in grossly negligent cases)
If a loved one or you have suffered injury from a defective product, it’s essential to:
- Conserve the product and evidence.
- Receive medical care.
- Legal Information Institute
- Seek the assistance of an experienced product liability attorney immediately.
Our team of attorneys cares about holding wrongdoers responsible and obtaining fair compensation for you.
FAQs About Defective Products
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding defective product claims and how we can assist you in pursuing justice and compensation.
Yes, you can still sue even if you didn’t personally buy the defective product. For instance, if you were injured when using your friend’s appliance, riding in another person’s car, or borrowing equipment, you can still be entitled to seek legal recourse. What’s important is that the product was defective and it led to your injury, not the person who bought it.
Compensation, or “damages,” may include medical bills, lost income from time off work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and even the cost of long-term care. In the most severe cases, courts will also award punitive damages to punish especially reckless company behavior. The amount depends on how severe the injury was and how clearly the product was shown to be defective.
Responsibility for a defective product doesn’t fall only on the manufacturer. Anybody who played a part in placing that product in your hands, including wholesalers, suppliers, and retailers, is liable. The law acknowledges that everyone in the chain of distribution has the responsibility to make products safe. Deciding who is at fault hinges on where the fault happened and what each played in the journey of the product to market.
Yes, even if a product was recalled, you still require a lawyer. A recall does not necessarily mean you will be compensated—it only means that the product was unsafe. You will still have to demonstrate that the defect actually caused your injury. A lawyer can assist you with this process and prevent you from being offered a low settlement or denied your right to reasonable compensation.
Yes, you can. If the product was distributed in the U.S. and injured you here, you can sue the distributor, importer, or even the retailer that sold it to you. Product liability laws protect consumers, not where the product was manufactured. A skilled lawyer can decide who is liable legally and where your case needs to be brought.
The timeline can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case. Some take a few months, while others, particularly those involving serious injuries or corporate defendants, can take a year or more. Your attorney will advocate for a quick and reasonable resolution, but will also make sure you don’t accept less than you should to just get it over with.
