Despite the large variety of measures used to prevent injury from manufactured products, defective products still injure a high number of Americans. Consumers trust the expertise and the intention of manufacturers when they buy products, and, over time, this is expressed as brand loyalty. Unfortunately, due to a combination of factors (including human error, negligence, carelessness, and willful disregard), defective products are made and sold. In some products, the defects are of such a nature that they do no harm to consumers. Other products consistently harm consumers, no matter what the defect is. These products include cars, pharmaceuticals, cleaning solvents and other commonly used items.

Product Liability

It is not only manufacturers that have a duty to provide customers with safe and sound products. Wholesalers, distributors and retailers also share this duty. It is the responsibility of the manager just as it is the CEO or wholesalers to make sure their products are safe for consumers to use. If and when this duty is not met, they can and will be held liable for the injuries and personal costs that result. The victims of these injuries have the right to claim financial compensation.

Each year, consumers are injured from using defective products. Product liability applies to any and all products, not just ones that are likelier to be defective; the makers of heavy machinery are just as liable as are makers of home appliances.

Dealing With a Defective Product

If you are injured by a defective product, first seek medical attention immediately. Not only will this possibly save your life and prevent injuries from becoming serious, the nature and extent of your injury will be documented. Next, make sure to save the defective product for later. This may seem counterintuitive, but it will prove very useful, since your attorney can use the defective product itself as evidence. Also, don’t forget to photographically document everything you can with a camera. Take pictures of the product, the scene of the accident or injury, and of any injuries that you incurred. To reiterate, the more evidence you have, the better your case will be.

Save any paperwork related to the product: instruction manuals, warranty statements, the receipt, the box the product came in and any other paperwork relating to the injury, such as canceled checks and other financial documents. If you have any records of contacting the maker of the product for any reason relating to your injury, save those as well. They will be invaluable as evidence during legal proceedings. Gather contact information from any witnesses, if there are any. They can be interviewed at some later date, if it is necessary.

Statutes of Limitation

Most states have statutes of limitations in effect. A statute of limitations is a law specifying the amount of time after an injury for a victim to seek damages. For this reason, it is to the victim’s benefit to begin legal action as soon as possible after the victim is injured.

Reporting the Product

Lastly, report the injury to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and contact an experienced, licensed attorney who knows how to handle cases relating to injuries from your particular product.
What Are The Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

What Are The Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

The symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can vary widely depending on the level of exposure, including the concentration of CO in the air, the length of time exposed to CO, and other factors. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s article […]Read more
What Effect Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Have On Your Body?

What Effect Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Have On Your Body?

High levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in an enclosed space poses a serious danger to those breathing the air in that space. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the effect of carbon monoxide poisoning on your body […]Read more
What Is Carbon Monoxide?

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a clear gas produced as a result of burning carbon-based fuel. It is odorless and tasteless but can cause serious, lasting health complications and impairments in those exposed to high levels of the gas. It is common […]Read more
Am I Entitled to Compensation For Faulty Auto Repairs in Florida?

Am I Entitled to Compensation For Faulty Auto Repairs in Florida?

Every day, thousands of drivers trust auto repair companies to fix their vehicles and make their travels safer. Safety issues are usually resolved in one trip, but sometimes there are complications. When the failure to solve an auto issue results in injury, investigation may prove fault on the part of the auto repair company. In many cases, auto repair companies have been found solely responsible for catastrophic accidents and death due to repairs that were not properly performed.Read more
Can The Airbag Of A Car Be Fixed After An Accident?

Can The Airbag Of A Car Be Fixed After An Accident?

The airbag of a car cannot be fixed after an accident. Even though it can be costly, you must have it replaced. Manufacturers design modern airbags for a single use. When they were first introduced, mechanics could reset some airbags. […]Read more