Product Liability and Personal Injury: What Consumers Need to Know

When you purchase a product, you have the right to expect that it will be safe to use and won’t cause you harm. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. There are times when products are defective or dangerous, and they cause personal injury to consumers. In such cases, the manufacturer or seller of the product may be held liable for the injuries and damages caused.

What is Product Liability?

Product liability is an area of law that deals with holding manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible for the harm caused by their products. It is based on the principle that manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to use.

Under product liability law, a manufacturer can be held liable for personal injury caused by a product if the product is defective or unreasonably dangerous. There are three types of defects that can make a product defective:

• Design defects: Products with design defects are inherently dangerous due to the way they are designed.
• Manufacturing defects: Products with manufacturing defects are dangerous because of errors made during the manufacturing process.
• Marketing defects: Products with marketing defects are dangerous because of inadequate warnings, instructions, or labeling.

What Should You Do if You are Injured by a Product?

If you are injured by a product, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Your health and safety should be your top priority. Once you have received medical treatment, you should gather as much information about the product and your injuries as possible.

You should keep the product and any packaging or instructions that came with it. You should also keep any receipts or records of the purchase. If there were any witnesses to the incident, you should try to obtain their contact information.

You should then contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you determine if you have a claim against the manufacturer or seller of the product. Your lawyer will investigate the incident, gather evidence, and negotiate with the other party’s insurance company on your behalf.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Product Liability Lawsuit?

If you are successful in a product liability lawsuit, you may be entitled to recover damages for your injuries and losses. The damages you can recover may include:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of medical treatment for your injuries.
• Lost wages: This includes any income you lost as a result of your injuries.
• Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by your injuries.
• Property damage: This includes any damage to your personal property caused by the defective product.

Product liability is an important area of law that protects consumers from defective and dangerous products. If you are injured by a product, you should seek medical attention and contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you determine if you have a claim against the manufacturer or seller of the product and can work to recover damages for your injuries and losses.