Product Liability Lawyers In Philadelphia

Injuries are caused by defectively manufactured products when the product is flawed in some way because of an error in the process of making the product, thereby making the defective product different from others on the shelf or in the same line of products.

The design of a product may be inherently dangerous or defective. Products with a defective design are made correctly, i.e., according to their specifications, and so the defective design can be found in any and all of the products in the line.

Injuries can result if a product is inadequately labeled with warnings or instructions for use. Generally, the product is dangerous in a non-obvious way and requires undisclosed precautions or diligence when using the product.

A product liability claim involves injuries caused by a defective or dangerous product. These cases generally fall into three categories: design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure-to-warn claims, where a company didn’t adequately disclose a known risk.

You may have a claim if you were injured while using a product as intended, or in a reasonably foreseeable way, and the injury was caused by a defect in the product’s design, manufacturing, or warning labels. An attorney can review the product and the circumstances of your injury to determine eligibility.

Liability can extend to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and sometimes designers or component part makers, depending on where the defect occurred in the supply chain.

Product liability claims commonly involve household appliances, tools and equipment, machinery, children’s products, vehicles and vehicle parts, and other consumer goods. Medication-related claims are generally handled separately as pharmaceutical litigation.

You generally need to show that the product was defective, that the defect existed when it left the manufacturer’s control, and that the defect directly caused your injury. Evidence often includes the product itself, purchase records, medical records, and expert analysis.

Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and costs related to ongoing or future care. In cases involving a death, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Filing deadlines vary by state and typically depend on when the injury occurred or when it was reasonably discovered. Because these deadlines differ, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an injury.

Preserve the product in its current condition, keep any packaging or instructions, seek medical treatment, document your injuries, and avoid attempting repairs before speaking with an attorney.

Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay upfront and only owe attorney fees if your case results in compensation.

No. A recall is a manufacturer or regulatory action to remove or fix a defective product, while a product liability lawsuit is a legal claim seeking compensation for injuries the product caused. You may still have a claim even if the product hasn’t been recalled.