We rely on manufacturers of consumer goods to deliver products that are designed, constructed, and labeled to prevent harm to others. However, when these products are defective, they can cause severe injuries or even death. This emphasizes the critical importance of product safety. When someone is harmed in this type of accident, they can seek compensation through a product liability claim.
A product liability claim, when filed against the product’s manufacturer, distributor, or seller, can demand compensation for the financial costs of the injury to the claimant, such as the cost of medical treatment and lost wages, as well as the psychological impacts of the injury, including pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. Though it may seem daunting, this claim can be a powerful tool in pursuing recompense.
If the company or their insurer fails to resolve the claim fairly, the injured party can escalate the matter by filing a product liability lawsuit, generally within two years of the date the accident occurred. Although it may seem complex, this legal recourse is a crucial step in seeking justice and something a seasoned product liability attorney could assist with. Here is a look at the three most common causes of product liability in McAllen.
Design Defects
Design defects refer to issues with a product that arise before it is manufactured. Examples include tires with a specific tread pattern that cannot maintain performance on high-speed roadways or a poorly designed safety guard on a power tool that does not adequately protect the user against injuries.
A medical implant that degrades over time and impacts a patient’s health can also be considered a design defect, as can a piece of furniture designed top-heavy and prone to tipping over.
Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing defects are problems with the product that occur during the manufacturing process. While design defects affect a whole product line, manufacturing defects typically only affect lots or batches of the product.
Manufacturing defects may involve inaccurate dimensions that impact its fit or function, the use of impure materials, and products that are improperly assembled or installed.
Some examples of manufacturing defects include glass or contaminants that impact a batch or lot of processed food or medication, the use of a substandard material contrary to the design of a product that causes it to break or fail during regular use, or the failure to install a component that was present in the design.
Marketing and Labeling Defects
Manufacturers are primarily responsible for designing and producing products that are reasonably safe for the consumer. They are also required to provide instructions on how to safely use the product, list its ingredients, and warn the customer of known risks that can occur when using the product. Another type of marketing defect involves inaccurate claims about what the product is supposed to do or its safety.
Learn More About Common Causes of Product Liability in McAllen
Defects can occur with any type of product and in any part of the manufacturing process. If you were injured due to a defective consumer good, let our legal team help you understand your options for seeking compensation and tell you more about the product liability claims process in McAllen.
Contact KGS Law today to schedule your free case evaluation. Our experienced legal team could review your case and help develop a strategy for pursuing compensation.