Modern consumers rely on all kinds of products for convenience and safety. From foods and medications to clothing and appliances, you expect these products to function as intended.
Product malfunctions can lead to injuries, property damage, stress, lost wages, and a host of other issues that can impact your life and well-being.
At each step of the manufacturing process, controls should be in place to ensure that items are safe, well-made, and designed to meet industry standards. If failures occur along the way, you can hold manufacturers accountable for their actions.
If you’ve been harmed by a defective product, you might be unsure about where to turn for help. A personal injury lawyer in Alpharetta can provide the guidance you need to seek legal remedies. Ali Awad, attorney at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, can help you navigate your legal options.
Ali Awad and his team will help you understand what actions you can take if you’ve been injured. Schedule a free, no-obligation case review today with an experienced defective product attorney near you today when you call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online.
How an Alpharetta Defective Product Attorney Can Help You
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm specializes in helping people with personal injury claims. This includes claims that arise from defective products.
As we work together, we’ll determine who could be liable for the product issues and in what way.
There are three general categories of liability that apply to defective product claims:
- Negligence: Negligence occurs when the manufacturer or another party along the supply chain fails to verify that a product is safe for consumers. An example of negligence would be a manufacturer failing to prevent the presence of toxic chemicals in the final delivered product of a toy.
- Breach of warranty: A breach of warranty applies to situations where a manufacturer doesn’t assure that a product is capable of performing to the level promised, either expressly or implicitly, on packaging and through marketing. If a product doesn’t work in a manner that aligns with the manufacturer’s claims, there could be a breach of warranty.
- Strict liability: Strict liability products laws stipulate that a manufacturer is responsible for all injuries and damages that arise from a defective product deemed dangerous to the public.
It’s worth noting that defective product claims can be complex since you can’t automatically assign blame to the end distributor. Defects can occur at various points along the supply chain.
There could be issues with raw materials that impact the final product, problems in the testing and development phase, or failures in the actual manufacturing process. There may be one clear point of failure or multiple issues with multiple liable parties.
An experienced defective product attorney can help you determine the best route for pursuing your claim. No matter what, a defective product lawyer will analyze the case from all angles with your best interests in mind, helping you identify any and all liable parties.
How an Alpharetta Defective Product Law Firm Determines Establishes Liability
Georgia’s defective product law is built on the standard of strict liability. Therefore, if a Georgia company manufactures products that lead to injury or personal harm, they can be held accountable for their actions.
To establish a successful foundation for a defective product claim, your attorney must determine that:
- You were hurt or negatively affected in some way
- The product was defective or unreasonably dangerous for use as intended
- The defect is what caused the injury or negative impact
- You were using the product as intended at the time of the injury
From there, you’ll work together to determine what type of product defect to claim. Your attorney can file a defective product injury claim for one or more of the following:
- A design defect: This refers to an issue with the fundamental design of the product.
- A manufacturing defect: Manufacturing defects typically affect only one unit or particular batches of units (although they can apply to an entire product line). The fundamental design of the product may be sound, but a manufacturing defect can cause an item to not work as intended or to contain harmful substances.
- A labeling defect (failure to warn): Even if a product functions properly, people can be injured if the item is poorly labeled, lacks proper instructions, or has an implied use that is unsafe. For example, medications must include information about specific uses, warnings, and potential side effects so that consumers can make informed decisions. Poorly labeled products — or products with misleading marketing — can lead to injuries and misuse.
Through consultations, research, and a rigorous investigation, your attorney will determine if the elements are in place for a viable defective product claim. From there, they’ll decide which type of defect applies to your situation.
Common Products That Can Cause Harm
Occasionally, you’ll see manufacturer recalls on products, vehicles, or appliances that are deemed unsafe due to defects. A manufacturer can recall any item, but the product categories below are common culprits.
Drugs & Personal Care Products
Any product that you ingest or apply to your body must be thoroughly tested and evaluated before general use. Unfortunately, medications, personal care products, makeup, supplements, and other similar products can be dangerous if they’re contaminated or improperly produced.
Defective drugs or personal care products can lead to health problems, pain, disease, severe impairments, or even death. If you used a drug or care product that was contaminated during the production or distribution process, you could be entitled to compensation for damages you’ve suffered.
Vehicles
Cars include thousands of intricate, carefully designed parts. All of these parts must work in sync for your vehicle to be safe, sound, and reliable.
Sadly, car manufacturers have released defective vehicles that are unsafe. Some common faulty components include airbags, seatbelts, and steering systems.
If any part of your vehicle is defective — especially critical safety and driving systems — your life could be at risk. The vehicle manufacturer, the parts distributor, or the dealership you purchased the car from could be held liable, depending on the situation.
Appliances
In certain circumstances, everyday appliances can cause serious harm. Items large and small, from dishwashers and dryers to lawnmowers or coffee makers, can be hazardous.
If these items malfunction, they can cause fires, electrical shock, lacerations, or other events that pose severe risks to consumers.
If you’ve been harmed by a household item that malfunctioned, a defective product attorney can evaluate your situation and help you pursue a remedy.
Toys
Toys are often at the center of defective product claims. Small toys can pose a choking hazard to young kids.
Further, some manufacturers produce toys contaminated with lead, a toxic substance that can be fatal. Lead paint exposure can cause headaches, memory loss, high blood pressure, and other serious problems in children and adults.
If your child has been harmed by a dangerous toy, an Alpharetta defective product lawyer can help you hold the liable party accountable.
Medical Devices
Medical device manufacturers make products that can help you reclaim mobility and comfort. Many of these items, like metal joint replacements or hernia mesh, are essential to the success of modern medical treatments.
However, if these products are defective, the results can be disastrous. You could experience physical, mental, and emotional damage from medical devices that don’t function as intended.
Therefore, if you’re struggling in unexpected ways after a complex medical procedure, don’t hesitate to contact a defective product lawyer to discuss your experience.
Steps to Take if You Have Been Harmed by a Defective Product
If you get injured by a defective product, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:
- Seek medical help: If needed, visit a care clinic or a hospital so that a professional can evaluate your injuries and recommend treatments for your condition.
- Stop using the product: If an item malfunctioned once, it’s bound to happen again. Don’t use the product again, but hang onto it (if possible) to reference in the future as evidence.
- Document what happened: Take photos and video of any injuries or obvious defects, and keep a written or recorded log of the events as they unfold. Keep receipts, discharge documents from the hospital, instruction manuals, packaging, and other documentation.
- Contact an attorney: Reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for settlement. It’s best to get in touch while the incident is still fresh on your mind so that you don’t forget the details.
Contact the CEO Lawyer: Your Alpharetta Defective Product Law Firm
If you’ve been harmed by a defective product, Ali Awad of The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is prepared to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Suffering physical, mental, emotional, and monetary losses following an injury from a defective product can upend your life and impact your future. Our knowledgeable team will advocate for your rights at each step of the way.
Whether your defective product experience happened recently or a long time ago, our team will help you assemble the facts and items needed to support your claim.
We’ll organize the information and form a coherent legal argument under Georgia law to maximize your chances of success. Finally, we’ll seek monetary compensation on your behalf to help you with unexpected medical costs, lost wages, and more.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward claiming the compensation you may deserve, call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review.
