How To Handle Product Liability Claims?

Product liability claims arise when someone is injured or suffers loss because of a dangerous or defective product. These injuries often come without warning—one moment you’re using a household item, the next, you’re facing medical bills and pain from something that should have been safe. At Goldblatt + Singer, we help people across St. Louis hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable for the damage their products cause. Whether it’s a faulty airbag, a mislabeled prescription, or a defective power tool, we know how to uncover who’s responsible and build a strong case. Our legal team is committed to helping victims understand their legal options and pursue full compensation. If you’ve been hurt by a defective product, knowing what to do next isn’t just helpful—it’s essential to protecting your future.

Contact a Goldblatt + Singer St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Free case consultation call us at (314) 936-3434

What is considered a product?

A product is any item that can be manufactured, distributed, and sold to a consumer. That includes tangible goods like toys, tools, vehicles, and appliances. However, it also stretches into less obvious categories such as gas, software, real estate (like a defective house), or even navigational charts, according to Cornell Law School.

A “product” under Missouri law does not have to be brand-new or flawless—it only needs to have been transferred through regular business activity and used as expected by the consumer. This broad definition protects individuals harmed not just by mass-produced goods, but by any item introduced into the stream of commerce that causes injury. Whether it’s a mislabeled prescription drug, a dangerously wired appliance, or an unsafe building component, if it causes harm during normal use, it may qualify as grounds for a liability claim.

Common product categories include:

• Household appliances
• Automotive parts
• Children’s toys
• Medications and medical devices
• Industrial tools
• Food and beverages

These are more than just everyday items—they’re part of our daily routines and often trusted without question. However, when something goes wrong, the results can be devastating. A faulty toaster can spark a fire, a defective airbag can fail during a crash, and mislabeled medication can trigger life-threatening reactions. If any of these items cause injury due to a design flaw, manufacturing mistake, or a failure to warn, they can form the basis of a liability claim.

The law allows injured consumers to hold companies accountable for placing dangerous products on the market. That means you don’t have to face medical costs, pain, or time off work alone. By understanding the types of products that frequently cause harm, you’re one step closer to protecting your rights and securing the justice you deserve.

Understanding liability

Multiple parties can be held liable in a product liability case. These include:

• The manufacturer of the product
• The company that produced component parts
• Assembling or packaging businesses
• Wholesalers
• Retailers

Each of these entities plays a key role in what’s known as the “chain of commerce”—the process through which a product travels from its creation to the hands of the consumer. If a product is defective and causes harm along the way, everyone in that chain could be legally responsible. For example, a car part might be built correctly but installed improperly during assembly, or a product may leave the factory safe but suffer damage from careless packaging or poor storage conditions.

According to Cornell Law School, even items we don’t always think of as products—like natural substances or intangible products—may qualify under products liability law. This broad definition helps protect consumers from a wide range of product-related dangers.

Types of defects that lead to liability:

• Design defects – These are flaws that exist in the product’s original plan or engineering design, making the item dangerous even before it’s manufactured or assembled.
• Manufacturing defects – These occur when a product is built incorrectly due to mistakes during production, such as missing safety components or the use of substandard materials.
• Failure to warn – This happens when a product lacks proper instructions or warning labels, leaving consumers unaware of potential hazards during normal use.

How to file a product liability claim?

Missouri law clearly defines what counts as a product liability claim. Under Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 537.760, a person may file if:

1. The product was transferred in the course of business.
2. It was used in a reasonably anticipated way.
3. The product was defective and unreasonably dangerous when sold or due to a lack of adequate warning.

Here’s a basic outline for filing your claim:

• Step 1: Preserve the product and all packaging. Keep the defective item in a safe place, along with any packaging, labels, instruction manuals, and receipts. This physical evidence can support your claim.
• Step 2: Get medical attention and document your injuries. Seek medical help immediately and keep a detailed record of your treatment, symptoms, and recovery process. These records will help link your injuries to the defective product.
• Step 3: Contact a product liability attorney. They’ll help evaluate the claim and begin the investigation.
• Step 4: File within Missouri’s statute of limitations. In Missouri, you generally have five years to file a personal injury claim involving product liability.

What is the most common cause of a product liability claim?

Manufacturing defects are the most common cause. These happen when a product that was correctly designed becomes dangerous due to errors during its construction or assembly. For example, a batch of prescription drugs might become contaminated during packaging, an airbag may be installed incorrectly and fail to deploy in a crash, or a power drill could be missing a vital safety guard. These errors often affect a limited number of products but can lead to serious injuries or even death.

Other leading causes include:

• Inadequate warnings or instructions – This occurs when products lack the proper labels or usage guidelines to inform users of potential dangers. Common examples include food items without allergy disclosures or cleaning products missing handling precautions.
• Poor design – Some products are dangerous from the outset because their design makes them inherently unsafe. Tipping dressers, unsafe crib slats, or toys with small, detachable parts all fall under this category.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 12 million products are recalled annually due to safety hazards. Many of these recalls involve items intended for children or everyday electronics, highlighting the real and ongoing risks defective products pose to families across the country.

Recoverable damages

If you were injured by a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation. Missouri law gives injured consumers the right to seek damages when a product fails to meet basic safety standards. These damages aim to make you whole again by covering both financial losses and the personal toll caused by the injury. Depending on your case, recoverable damages could include:

Economic Damages:

• Medical bills (including emergency care, surgeries, prescriptions, and future treatment)
• Lost income during recovery and time off work
• Reduction in future earning capacity due to long-term disability
• Physical rehabilitation, therapy, and mobility devices

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and ongoing discomfort
• Mental and emotional suffering, including anxiety or depression
• Loss of enjoyment of activities you once valued, like sports or hobbies

Punitive Damages:

• In rare situations where a company acted with reckless disregard or intentional harm, Missouri courts may impose punitive damages to discourage similar misconduct.

To strengthen your claim and maximize potential compensation, gather the following as soon as possible:

• Medical records and itemized treatment costs
• Clear photographs of your injuries and the defective product
• Statements from witnesses or bystanders
• Original receipts, user manuals, and product packaging

Why contact a product liability lawyer?

Because these cases are complex and often involve major corporations with legal teams ready to deflect blame. When you go up against manufacturers, you need someone on your side who knows Missouri’s product liability laws inside and out.

We know how to:

• Investigate the defect and trace it to the responsible party
• Work with expert witnesses to prove design or manufacturing flaws
• Negotiate with insurance companies to get fair settlements
• Take your case to trial if necessary

You shouldn’t have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and pain while the company responsible walks away. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Ready to take action? Call us today

When a product fails and causes real harm, it can turn your life upside down. You may be facing long recoveries, rising medical expenses, and endless questions about what comes next. That’s where we come in. Goldblatt + Singer has helped thousands of clients in St. Louis recover after being injured by defective products. Our team is ready to listen, investigate, and fight for what you’re owed.

Don’t wait—call us now at (314) 231-4100 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Jeffrey Singer

Jeff Singer, Managing Partner at Goldblatt + Singer for over a decade, is a seasoned personal injury attorney known for his compassionate yet tough advocacy. He has resolved hundreds of cases and recovered millions for clients. Recognized as a Missouri Super Lawyer and Top 100 National Trial Lawyer, Jeff also serves on the Missouri Bar’s Chief Disciplinary Committee and the Board of Governors for the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.

Free case consultation call us at (314) 936-3434