Companies involved in the manufacturing, supplying, selling, and distribution of a product can be held liable for product related illness or injury. Companies are legally responsible for the safety of their products. A consumer that has sustained illness, injury, or death as a result of a commercial product has the right to bring a product liability suit against the manufacturer, retailer, distributor, or supplier.

Causes of Product Liability

A liability suit can be brought against a company who has produced or provided a product with a manufacturing defect or incorrect design. The defect in the product must have resulted in significant harm sustained by a consumer. Additionally, a liability suit can be filed against a company for not providing proper warnings about potential risks or hazards of using or owning the product.

In some cases of product liability, the consumer believes they have suffered from illness or injury as a result of a product, but cannot prove that the product was to blame. A product liability suit can still be filed in these cases. Information from a medical professional may be required to substantiate the victim’s claims. The product may also undergo an examination by professionals who can determine whether not the product caused the individual’s injuries.

Contacting an Attorney

Individuals who have been harmed by a product should contact a local attorney immediately. The product liability laws vary in each state. For most liability cases, individuals can be awarded damages for illness, injury, or death caused by a product regardless of whether the product has a manufacturing defect or faulty design. This means that negligence is rarely taken into consideration and most consumers will be awarded damages for any harm sustained from a product regardless of the cause. This protects individuals in cases where a specific defect in the product cannot be found.

Individuals who are victims of product liability can receive reimbursement for medical treatments, medicines, and any additional costs related to the illness or injury caused by the product. The product liability suit must be decided in the favor of the consumer before medical bills will be paid by the product’s manufacturer, retailer, supplier, or distributor.

Effects of Product Liability on Victims

Victims of product liability who do not have proper representation by an attorney, may find handling medical bills and legal issues extremely difficult. Insurance companies may request immediate payment of medical bills regardless of whether or not an individual is the victim of product liability. This can result in the victim struggling with the financial requirements of numerous medical and legal bills.

After Sustaining a Product-Related Injury

Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if they have been harmed by a product. It is important that the individual does not dispose of the product that caused their physical harm, because it will serve as important evidence in future legal proceedings.

Individuals who have been harmed by a product need to meet with a local attorney as quickly as possible. The attorney will go over the details of the case with the victim and will have substantial knowledge of the liability laws and statutes of limitations in the victim’s state. The attorney will provide the individual with information about the likelihood that they will legally be considered a victim of product liability.

Attorney Responsibility

The attorney should be present before the signing of any legal documents with an insurance company. This will ensure that the insurance company does not provide a contract that could waive the individual’s rights. The attorney will also prevent individuals from signing a settlement agreement that will not adequately cover the cost of the victim’s medical attention.