Defective Products Lawyer

New York City Product Liability Lawyers – Dangerous Products

Defective consumer products are responsible for a significant number of serious injuries and deaths. According to statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, tens of millions of Americans suffer an injury related to a consumer product every year. A substantial number of these injuries are caused by a defect in the design or manufacture of the product.

If you’ve been injured by a defective product, it’s important that you take steps to protect your rights. This means you should understand how to respond in the immediate aftermath of the injury. You should also be aware of the legal issues that may surround your case.

What to do in the event of a defective product injury

Generally speaking, there are three varieties of defective product cases: Defective design, a defect in manufacturing or a defect in warning(s). The first two involve deficiencies that occur when the product is conceived and created — faulty vehicle parts that cause a collision, for example. The latter means that the company in question failed to alert the public to possible dangers arising from the use of its product and that this proximately caused injury.

Those who have been victimized by a defective product can typically pursue legal remedies under the doctrines of negligence or strict products liability in tort.

In the event of an injury caused by a consumer product, you should first seek immediate medical attention, then make every effort to document the circumstances of the injury and the condition of the product. If the injury occurred in public, write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. You may also wish to use photos and videos to help document the scene of the accident and purchase location. Retain all evidence including most importantly the offending product. If you have the purchase records retain such record(s). If you don’t have the record, check your credit card statements and obtain proof of the purchase. This of course applies to cases in which you are the purchaser.

It’s also important to keep a detailed record of any expenses that accrue as a result of your injury. These include medical bills, lost wages from time off work, transportation costs and other associated expenses. It’s also advisable to refrain from speaking about your case if possible, as you may wish to speak to a legal representative before making any statements. This includes refraining from speaking to representatives of the manufacturer of the product in question. An attorney may guide you in filing complaints before the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.  It is best to be circumspect in the use of social media when involved in litigation as your posts may become evidence in your case. There are limited time periods to take action.

Finding an experienced attorney

Defective product litigation is often very complex. It may require navigation of a variety of relevant laws and issues. Because of this, it’s critically important to secure representation from an experienced attorney or law firm early in the process. If it has been some time since the incident, immediate consultation with an attorney is also very important given the limited time periods within which cases must be filed.