People buy new products every single day. From baby products to hair care to items for your car, the options are endless. Many individuals assume that because a product is on the market it must be safe. And while in many cases this is true, sometimes it’s not.
Defective or dangerous products make their way onto store shelves all the time and as a consumer it’s important to understand your rights. When something happens to you or a loved one due to a harmful product, you’ll want to know when to consult an attorney for help. Here are some helpful tips to guide you.
Did you know that there are laws that help hold manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable if a product leads to injury, death, or property damage? This means that legally, companies have a responsibility to create products that are safe for consumers. Design flaws, manufacturing defects, and inadequate instructions can make products more dangerous. When bringing a product liability suit, lawyers will look to these three issues to determine if you have a case.
Consider a baby rocker where the design allows a baby to just slip out or a life jacket that doesn’t stay put when you jump in the water. If someone is injured when using these products, a lawyer would be able to determine who is at fault. Is it the manufacturer? Is it the company that designed it? Or is it someone else? These are all factors that play into a product liability case.
When these product issues go haywire, it might be time to call a lawyer. You need to know that a product liability attorney can help you if you are injured by consumer goods. Here are some of the top reasons to reach out to a lawyer for help:
There is a big difference between needing to patch a hole in the wall because you didn’t install a shelf correctly and being injured and sent to the hospital because the shelf fell off the wall and hurt you. If the instructions weren’t specific enough about how to put it up safely and then you were injured, it may be time to call a product liability attorney.
A product that causes multiple people to get injured is a good reason to consult with an attorney. They may be able to work on each case individually if there are a small number of victims, or it could warrant a class-action suit.
You may not be able to know if the issue was caused by a design flaw or a manufacturing error, but a good product liability attorney can. This is another great reason to consult with a legal professional to help build a good case.
The process starts with a consultation with a product liability attorney. It’s important to work with someone experienced in similar types of cases as yours to get the best outcome possible. Once a lawyer decides to work with you, they will need to gather evidence, call in subject matter experts, and more. If there is ample evidence, the lawsuit will commence and could lead to a trial or a settlement.
As a consumer, you have a right to assume that the products being sold are safe when used as intended. When you get harmed by manufacturing issues, design flaws, or unclear or incomplete instructions, you may have a case. Contact an attorney experienced with product liability right away if you’ve been injured or harmed by a product.
