Consumers expect the products they purchase to be safe and functional. However, some products are defective and fail to meet these expectations, sometimes even causing harm to users or their property.
In 2021, the National Safety Council reported that 11.7 million people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to consumer products, many of which were everyday items presumed to be safe. These injuries often affect the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and young children.
The most disheartening aspect is that manufacturers are often aware of these defects before the products hit the market. Despite knowing the potential dangers, they choose to release the products, resulting in preventable injuries.
Products with significant defects can cause serious and long-term harm to consumers and their families. Companies that distribute such products must be held responsible for the damage they cause.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, the Marietta defective product lawyers at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can help you understand your legal options. We will guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your damages.
Commonly Defective Products
Any product can be defective, but some are more prone to issues than others. Common products involved in liability cases include:
- Household Appliances: Items like toasters, stoves, ovens, pressure cookers, microwaves, and air fryers can pose fire hazards and cause severe injuries if defective. Heavy appliances like refrigerators can be dangerous if prone to tipping. Additionally, washing machines and dryers can present risks of electrical malfunctions and water damage, while space heaters and electric blankets can lead to burns and fires if not properly manufactured.
- Children’s Products: Toys, clothing, and other items can cause choking, strangulation, skin irritation, and other injuries when defective. Cribs and high chairs with poor construction can lead to falls and injuries. Strollers and car seats with design flaws can fail to protect children adequately during accidents, posing serious safety risks.
- Automotive Parts: Vehicles contain numerous components that can fail under extreme conditions. Defective tires, airbags, brakes, and electrical parts can lead to serious accidents. Additionally, seatbelt malfunctions, steering system failures, and faulty fuel systems can cause life-threatening situations on the road. Defective headlights and windshield wipers can impair visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Medicine and Food: These products are often mass-produced and transported long distances, increasing the risk of contamination and defects that can cause harm. Prescription medications with incorrect dosages or harmful side effects can lead to severe health complications. Food products contaminated with bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella can cause food poisoning and other serious illnesses. Nutritional supplements with undisclosed ingredients can result in adverse reactions.
- Electronics and Gadgets: Smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices can have battery defects that lead to overheating, fires, or explosions. Faulty wiring in electronic gadgets can cause electrical shocks and short circuits, posing significant risks to users. Wearable devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches can cause skin irritation and burns due to defective materials.
- Power Tools and Machinery: Tools such as drills, saws, and lawnmowers can be hazardous if they have defects in their safety mechanisms. Chainsaws with faulty brakes, nail guns with misfiring issues, and lawnmowers with defective blades can cause severe injuries to users. Industrial machinery with design flaws can lead to workplace accidents and serious injuries for workers.
- Furniture: Defective furniture, such as unstable chairs, tables, or bunk beds, can collapse and cause injuries. Recliners and sofas with faulty mechanisms can trap and injure users. Dressers and bookshelves with poor anchoring can tip over, posing a risk of crushing injuries, especially to children.
- Sporting Goods and Equipment: Bicycles with defective brakes or frames can result in serious accidents. Helmets, knee pads, and other protective gear with inadequate construction can fail to provide necessary protection during sports activities. Exercise equipment like treadmills and weight machines can cause injuries if they have manufacturing defects.
Understanding the wide range of products that can be defective highlights the importance of vigilance and awareness as a consumer. If you suspect a product you own is defective, it is crucial to stop using it immediately and seek legal advice to protect your rights and safety.
How Will My Marietta Defective Products Attorney From the CEO Lawyer Win My Case for Damages?
The defective products attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will fight aggressively to ensure you receive all the compensation that you are legally entitled to receive. In order to file a product liability claim in Georgia, the following elements must be proven:
- You were injured by the product while using it as intended,
- Due to a defect or poor warnings, you suffered a provable injury,
- The injury caused you damages.
If you have been injured by a defective product in Marietta, an attorney from the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will discuss your eligibility to file a claim for damages during your free consultation. The attorney will have to provide an expert’s testimony in order to prove that the product was defective and that the defect is what caused your injury.
Filing a Negligence Claim for a Defective Product
Negligence is more complex than liability when it comes to recovering damages, but your defective product lawyer may pursue a claim against the seller, the designer, or the manufacturer.
In addition to liability claims, victims may pursue negligence claims against the seller, designer, or manufacturer. Proving negligence involves demonstrating that:
- The seller and/or manufacturer had a duty to ensure product safety, and;
- They failed to meet this duty.
- The defect caused your injury.
- You suffered actual damage as a result.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Defective Product Accident?
If you can prove your injuries resulted from using a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses coverage is a crucial component of any insurance policy, as it ensures that you are protected in the event of an accident or injury. This coverage includes all medical bills incurred as a result of the accident, such as hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, and rehabilitation services. Additionally, it also covers any future medical costs that may arise as a result of the injury, ensuring that you receive the necessary care and treatment without having to worry about the financial burden. Having medical expenses coverage provides peace of mind knowing that you will be taken care of in the event of an unexpected injury or accident.
Lost Wages
Lost wages refer to the income that an individual is unable to earn while they are recovering from an injury or illness. This compensation is typically provided by an employer or insurance company to help the individual cover their living expenses during this period of time.When someone is unable to work due to a medical condition, they may be eligible to receive lost wages benefits. This can include payment for missed days of work, as well as any future income that will be lost due to the injury or illness.Lost wages compensation is an important form of financial support for individuals who are unable to work and earn a living due to circumstances beyond their control. It helps to alleviate the financial burden that can come with being unable to work, allowing the individual to focus on their recovery without the added stress of financial insecurity.
Loss of Future Earnings
If your injuries reduce your earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for the potential income you would have earned in the future. This can include lost wages, bonuses, promotions, and other opportunities for advancement that you may have missed out on due to your injuries. Calculating this loss can be complex and may require the expertise of financial and vocational experts to determine the full extent of your potential earnings. It is important to consider not only your current income but also your future earning potential when seeking compensation for this type of loss. By accurately assessing the impact of your injuries on your ability to work and earn a living, you can ensure that you receive fair and just compensation for your lost future earnings.
Rehabilitation Costs
This category includes expenses related to various forms of rehabilitation needed to recover from injuries sustained in an accident. Physical therapy helps to restore mobility and strength, chiropractic care focuses on spinal alignment and pain relief, pain management treatments help alleviate discomfort, and psychotherapy addresses any emotional trauma or mental health issues resulting from the incident. These costs can add up quickly, especially if long-term or intensive treatment is required.
Prescription Medication
In many cases, injuries sustained in an accident may require the use of prescription medications to manage pain, reduce inflammation, or prevent infection. Reimbursement for these medications can help offset the financial burden of ongoing medical treatment and ensure that individuals have access to the necessary drugs to support their recovery.
Pain and Suffering
This category of compensation is designed to address the non-economic impact of an accident on an individual’s life. Pain and suffering damages may cover a range of intangible losses, such as physical discomfort, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish. These damages are often more difficult to quantify than medical expenses or lost wages, but they are an important component of seeking full and fair compensation for the harm caused by an accident.
Property Damage
Property Damage refers to the cost of repairing or replacing any property damaged by an accident or incident. This can include damage to vehicles, buildings, personal belongings, or any other type of property. The cost of property damage can vary depending on the extent of the damage and the value of the property that needs to be repaired or replaced.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful Death is a legal term used to describe a situation where an individual has died as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. In such cases, the family members of the deceased victim may be entitled to claim compensation for their loss. This compensation can cover a variety of expenses, including funeral costs, medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. It is important for the family members to file a claim within the two-year statute of limitations in order to be eligible for compensation.
Contact Our Marietta Defective Products Law Firm to Ensure the Success of Your Case
The Marietta defective product attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will help you determine an accurate assessment of the damages you have suffered. Defective products have the potential to affect many aspects of your life, and may cause you to accrue many medical expenses.
Call our experienced Marietta defective products law firm today for a free consultation about your case at (404) 800-9235.
