Consumers purchase products with the expectation that they will function the way they are intended to. This also comes with the hope that the product was made adequately, following the necessary steps to ensure the safety of those who use it. When companies do not meet certain standards and produce products correctly, the product may become defective. When this is done, consumers may be put at risk for serious injuries. When injuries happen due to the negligence of a company, they can be held responsible for product liability. It is important to seek legal counsel if you have been injured due to a defective product.
What is Product Liability?
Product liability is the legal liability that a company or manufacturer may have for supplying consumers with a faulty product. If a mistake is made or a company cuts corners during the production of a product, people who use it may become injured as a result. Some examples of products that can malfunction if they are not made correctly may be children’s toys or household appliances. Many products must come with warnings to inform people how to use them safely and avoid harm. If the product does not come with a warning, individuals may not use the product correctly and become injured. When injuries happen as a result of a faulty product, an injured person may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for their injury. These lawsuits are known as product liability cases.
Types of Cases
There are many ways an individual can become injured as a result of a defective product. There are three main types of defect cases:
- Design defect: When a product’s design causes your injury. This may happen if a designer did not consider a consumer’s safety when designing it. To establish a case, the injured person must prove that there was a safer and economically feasible design that could have been used instead.
- Manufacturer defect: When the manufacturer does not follow the usual production plan and creates a product differently, it may become defective and hurt someone. When this happens, the injured person must prove the manufacturer deviated from the typical design.
- Failure to warn: When a company fails to provide a warning label for a product that may be harmful if it is not used safely and appropriately. It is important to not throw this product out, as it can be used during a lawsuit as evidence.
Compensation
If an individual is injured due to a faulty product, they may be eligible for compensation for their injuries. When an injury occurs that requires medical help, the individual may become overwhelmed with medical bills. If a manufacturing company is found liable for this injury, they may owe the injured compensation that covers these medical costs.
Contact our Firm
If you have been injured as a result of a defective product and wish to speak with an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Hausman & Pendzick today.
Hausman & Pendzick effectively represents victims of neglect in Westchester County and across the state of New York. If you need a knowledgeable and skilled personal injury attorney to help you recover compensation after an accident, contact Hausman & Pendzick today.