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When people buy consumer products, they expect to use them throughout their daily lives and rightfully expect that those products will be safe and effective. Unfortunately, some products are defective and fail to perform their intended function, and some products actually harm the consumer or the consumer’s property.
According to the National Safety Council, in 2021, 11.7 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries resulting from consumer products. Most of the injuries involve everyday products often assumed to be safe.
Many of these injuries occur to our most vulnerable populations of older adults and young children.
Many products are dangerous enough to cause serious and long-term harm to consumers and their families. The companies responsible for distributing defective products into the public stream of commerce must be held accountable for the harm caused by these products.
If you or someone you love has been injured while using a defective product, the Missouri defective products lawyers at Goldblatt & Singer will inform you about any potential claims that you are entitled to file.
We will help you through the process of seeking compensation for all damages that you are owed for the harm you have suffered.
According to the U.S. Legal Definitions, a defective product is an imperfection in a product that has a manufacturing or design defect or is faulty because of inadequate instructions or warnings.
A product is in a defective condition if it is unreasonably dangerous to the user or to the consumer who purchases the product and causes physical harm. There are essentially three types of defects that will potentially result in product liability claims.
These three types of defects are as follows:
A design defect is a problem in the product’s design or blueprint that causes it to be unsafe. For example, a ladder that has poorly designed rungs that will buckle under a person’s weight if they use it at a certain angle, or the hinges are made of a weak material that only allows the ladder to be opened and closed so many times before breaking. These defects should be caught in product testing. When the designer knows about the defects, they weigh their options if either fixing the problem or ignoring it and hoping that the consumer will not cause the product to fail by using it in the way that makes the defects apparent.
Defects also occur during the manufacturing process. The design of the product is appropriate in this case, but an error has occurred that rendered the product dangerous. An example of a common manufacturing defect is an improperly cured tire. When a tire has not cured correctly during the manufacturing process, the consequential defect may cause the tire tread to separate and the consumer will experience a loss of control as a result.
Products need to be marketed for their specific purpose and should disclose warnings of the potential dangers involved with the expected and reasonable use of the product. For example, a stroller that was designed for a doll should not be used for a child. The stroller should be advertised as being for dolls and should display warnings against using it for children and should include the maximum weight allowance.
Any product has the potential to be defective, but there are some that seem to cause more problems than others. The most common products seen in defective product liability cases include the following items:
The defective products attorneys at Goldblatt + Singer 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 Missouri, the following elements must be proven:
As long as you are able to prove that you or someone you love has suffered harm as a direct result from using a defective product through no fault of your own, you are legally entitled to receive compensation for the damages you have suffered. Some of these damages include the following:
You will be fully compensated for all accumulated medical bills along with future medical expenses that you may receive to treat any defective product related injuries. Be sure to get medical attention as soon as possible after your injury, so that you will have documentation linking your injuries to the accident. Medical expenses are often the most extensive claim and include:
The time you spend unable to work while recovering from your injuries is time that you are not earning your regular income. You may be using up your allotted sick time or disability, but these often pay a reduced rate and might not last long enough for your recovery. You may lose your job entirely. You should be compensated for these financial losses.
If you have to work at a reduced capacity due to injuries caused by the defective product, you can claim your loss of future earnings.
Depending on the nature of your injuries, there is a strong possibility that you will require some type of rehabilitation. Physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain management, and psychotherapy are some examples of rehabilitation.
The cost of medicines that your doctors prescribe for you because of your injuries sustained from the defective product will be reimbursed. This amount includes the cost of medication you will be required to take long-term as long as it directly results from the defective product.
You are also able to claim compensation for non-economic damages. Common injuries, such as brain and spinal damage, are debilitating and permanent. Some injuries bring permanent scars and humiliation to the victim. Harm to the victim’s quality of life must be paid for by the defendant. Harm would include anything the victims can no longer do, such as running, walking, playing with their children, picking up or holding their children, supporting their spouse, or caring for themselves independently. All pain, the reduction of your enjoyment of life, and emotional distress will receive a value for your compensation.
Any of your property that was damaged by the defective product will be added up for the cost of repair, replacement, or any reduction in value.
The family of victims who were killed by the defective product can file a claim for wrongful death.
The defective product lawyers at Goldblatt + Singer are experienced and will help you determine an accurate assessment of the damages you have suffered. You should not have to fight for what you are legally entitled to receive, especially while you are in recovery. The defective products attorneys at Goldblatt + Singer are aggressive and will not stop fighting on your behalf until you recover everything that is rightfully yours.
If you or your loved one has suffered from the effects of a defective product or if your loved one has died, you should have all the support you can get. For a free consultation about your case, call (314) 231-4100 today to get your process started. When we take your case, we won’t charge you anything until we win or settle it for you.