When you buy a product, you expect it to work safely, the way it is supposed to. But sometimes, hidden defects can cause serious injuries. Victims can end up facing medical bills they didn’t plan for, lost wages, emotional stress, and even long-term health problems. You might have a legal case if a dangerous or faulty product hurt you. Filing a product liability lawsuit allows you to seek compensation and hold the right party responsible. It can also help keep others from going through the same thing.
What Is a Product Liability Lawsuit?
A product liability lawsuit is a legal action filed by someone who has suffered injuries due to a faulty or dangerous product. These cases aim to hold manufacturers, designers, distributors, or sellers accountable when their products harm consumers. Companies have a responsibility to produce items that are safe for use. When they fail in this duty, victims have the right to seek justice and payment for their injuries.
Victims can file a claim for a defective product injury when an item fails to work as intended or poses hidden risks that are not immediately apparent to users. Some common examples include faulty car parts, malfunctioning household appliances, unsafe children’s toys, contaminated food products, defective medical devices, and dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. If a flawed or unsafe product caused your injury, you might have grounds for a consumer product lawsuit.
There are three main types of product liability cases that individuals can pursue, depending on the nature of the defect:
- Design Defect Lawsuits – The product’s design is inherently dangerous or defective, making it unsafe even when appropriately manufactured.
- Manufacturing Defect Claims – The product’s design is safe, but an error occurred during production, leading to a dangerous flaw.
- Failure to Warn Lawsuits – The manufacturer did not provide proper instructions, warnings, or labels to inform consumers about potential risks.
Each type of product defect claim requires specific evidence, legal strategies, and expert testimony to build a strong case.
Common Causes of Product Liability Lawsuits
Every product safety claim is different depending on the product, the defect, and the injuries involved. Still, most cases fall into a few common categories that help determine what kind of claim it is and who might be responsible.
Design Defects
A design defect lawsuit argues that the product was inherently dangerous from the start. Even when used precisely as intended, the flawed design makes the product unsafe for consumers. These cases focus on the idea that no matter how well the product is manufactured, the design itself poses a risk of injury.
Manufacturing Defects
A manufacturing defect claim arises when something goes wrong during the product’s production. The design itself might be perfectly safe, but a mistake during production makes the product dangerous. This could include things like contaminated food, missing safety parts, cracked pieces, or devices that do not work correctly due to an error during assembly.
Failure to Warn
A failure to warn lawsuit focuses on the absence of clear instructions, labels, or warnings about potential dangers associated with using the product. Even safe products can become hazardous if consumers are not adequately informed about how to use them correctly or what risks they might face.
Understanding the type of defect involved is essential for building a strong case and holding the right parties accountable.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Liability Case?
More than one party can share responsibility for injuries caused by defective products. In a dangerous product lawsuit, multiple groups could be held liable, depending on how the product reached the consumer. These parties can include:
- Manufacturers – Companies that design, build, or distribute the product or a component part
- Wholesalers – Businesses that act as middlemen between the manufacturer and the retailer, helping move products through the supply chain
- Retailers – Stores or online sellers that market and sell the defective product directly to consumers
In many situations, a product passes through several different companies before it ever reaches you. If any link in that chain failed to detect the defect or adequately warn about the risks, they could be held accountable in a strict liability product case.
Strict liability is significant because it means you do not have to prove negligence to pursue compensation. Instead, you only need to demonstrate that the product was defective, that you used it as intended, and that the defect caused your injuries.
What to Do After a Defective Product Injury
If you experience a personal injury from a faulty product, you should take these steps immediately:
- Seek Medical Care – Get treatment as soon as possible and document all injuries. Medical records can serve as critical evidence later.
- Preserve the Product – Keep the item in its original condition. Please do not throw it away, repair it, or alter it in any way.
- Collect Evidence – Save any receipts, instruction manuals, product packaging, warranty information, and photos of the product and your injuries.
- Avoid Repairs or Alterations – Even minor changes to the product could damage your case by making it harder to prove the defect.
- Contact a Lawyer – An experienced attorney can explain your legal options, gather evidence, and help you pursue a claim.
You might also be eligible to file a product recall injury claim if the manufacturer has pulled the item from the market due to safety concerns.
How The Bruner Law Firm Can Help with Your Product Liability Lawsuit
Proving fault in a defective product lawsuit takes experience and a strong legal strategy. The personal injury attorneys at The Bruner Law Firm know how to help individuals who have been hurt.
Our attorneys can investigate the defect, work with experts, and build a case to secure compensation. We handle claims involving dangerous drugs, faulty consumer goods, recalled vehicles, and more. Whether your case involves a design flaw, manufacturing error, or failure to warn, we are ready to fight for you.
If a defective product injured you, complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation.
