Product Liability Injuries
Product liability injuries happen when unsafe or defective products cause harm during normal use. These claims help hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable when a product is unreasonably dangerous.
Key Takeaways
What Is a Product Liability Claim?
A product liability claim is a case seeking compensation when a defective or dangerous product causes injury. These claims can be based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty, depending on how the product was unsafe. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may all be responsible if a product is defective in its design, production, or warnings and instructions.
How Product Liability Claims Provide Financial Protection
Compensation from a product liability claim can help cover:
- Emergency room visits, hospital stays, and surgery
- Ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and prescription medications
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage caused by fires, explosions, or other product failures
Who Needs Legal Help After a Product-Related Injury
Legal help is especially important if:
- You suffered serious injuries requiring medical care or surgery
- The manufacturer or seller denies there is anything wrong with the product
- Insurance companies offer a low or quick settlement
- You are unsure how to prove the product was defective or unreasonably dangerous
Common Product Liability Injuries
- Burns and electrical injuries from defective appliances or electronics
- Head, brain, and spinal injuries from dangerous vehicles or equipment
- Organ damage or internal injuries from defective medical devices
- Serious side effects or complications from unsafe drugs
- Fractures, lacerations, and crush injuries from tools or machinery
- Choking or suffocation injuries from hazardous children's products
What Product Liability Claims Typically Cover
Compensation may include:
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future care needs
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Long-term disability and reduced quality of life
- Repair or replacement of damaged property
Common Types and Causes of Defective Products
- Design defects: Flaws in the product's original design that make it inherently dangerous
- Manufacturing defects: Errors during production that create unsafe products
- Failure to warn or inadequate instructions: Missing safety warnings or unclear usage guidelines
- Vehicles with defective airbags, brakes, or rollover risks
- Household appliances that overheat, spark, or cause fires
- Unsafe medical devices, implants, and equipment
- Dangerous toys, cribs, or children's products
- Contaminated or improperly labeled prescription drugs
- Faulty ladders, power tools, or industrial equipment
Why Legal Help Matters in Product Liability Cases
Manufacturers and insurers often dispute whether a product is truly defective or blame user error. A lawyer can:
- Identify whether the defect is in design, manufacturing, or warnings
- Preserve and analyze the product with engineers and safety experts
- Gather medical records, purchase records, and recall information
- Negotiate with corporations and insurers or take your case to court
- Protect your rights and ensure deadlines are met
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