Consumers expect the products they purchase to function as advertised. At the very least, they expect that products will not cause them harm when used correctly. Unfortunately, almost any type of good can have a dangerous defect.
As the Consumer Product Safety Commission explains through various statutes, strict federal regulations govern the safety of products that enter the consumer market. However, defects can still happen during the manufacturing, design, or sale of an item.
If you suffered an injury due to a product defect in Arizona, contact the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm. An accident lawyer in Scottsdale will gather evidence, structure your claim, and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf.
Our attorneys have more than 30 years of combined experience protecting the rights of the injured. Call 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation.
Here are three common sources of product defects:
- Manufacturing Defect
There are several reasons why a product defect might occur during the manufacturing process. Mechanical malfunctions, factory worker mistakes, and technology issues can all cause problems.
According to Nolo (https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/types-of-defective-product-liability-30070.html), examples of manufacturing defects include:
- Hairline cracks on new kettles;
- Cracked chains on children’s swing sets;
- Pad-less bicycle brakes;
- And contaminated prescription medications.
- Design Defect
A product’s design may be inherently dangerous. If the manufacturer discovers a dangerous design defect, it should issue a recall. Common examples of design defects include:
- Cars that stall in high gear;
- Sunglasses that do not provide UV protection as advertised;
- And electric blankets that shock people on high settings.
- Inadequate Warnings or Instructions
Companies have a legal obligation to warn consumers about potential dangers when using their products. They must provide clear instructions and labels that are easy to notice. If the manufacturer does not warn customers about a known hazard, or provide reasonable instructions for use, then it may be liable for injuries and losses that the product causes.
Examples of inadequate warnings or instructions include:
- No warning of steam near a pressure cooker’s valve;
- Prescriptions that do not warn of side effects or drug interactions;
- And chemicals without storage, handling or usage instructions.
Contact a Personal-Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Case
If you were injured by a product while using it as the manufacturer intended, then you may have grounds for a product liability claim. However, these cases are legally complex. Your accident lawyer will have to prove that you were using the product in a reasonable way, that the product had a defect, and that the defect directly led to a loss or injury.
If you were injured by a defective product in Arizona, contact the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm. A Scottsdale personal-injury attorney will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, health-care bills, and noneconomic damages. Call 480-951-9700 today to schedule a consultation.