Suffering harm due to a defective product is a distressing ordeal, bringing about physical pain and emotional and financial upheaval. As you struggle to overcome this difficult time, you should know that you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. Call our Alpharetta product liability lawyers to determine if you are eligible for compensation if a defective product injures you.
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we recognize the profound impact such experiences can have on individuals and their families. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to advocating for your rights, offering support, and pursuing the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.
Don’t let your pain go unaddressed. Call Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. today at 678-213-2401 for a free consultation with an Alpharetta personal injury lawyer, and let us help you demand the compensation you rightfully deserve.
What Do Product Liability Claims Cover?
When we purchase products, we trust that they are safe for use and consumption. However, defects or design flaws can sometimes lead to severe injuries or financial losses for unsuspecting individuals.
Common examples of product liability claims cover issues such as:
- Defective Toys: From choking hazards due to small parts to toxic materials used in production, defective toys can pose significant risks to children.
- Dangerous Pharmaceutical Drugs: These cases often involve harmful side effects from prescription or over-the-counter drugs, which are sometimes life-threatening. Some defective drug claims also cover inadequate warning labels or patient instructions.
- Medical Device Failures: Examples include hip replacements that break prematurely, surgical meshes that cause infection, or pacemakers that malfunction, compromising patient health.
- Auto Parts Defects: This category includes malfunctioning airbags, faulty brake systems, or cars that are prone to rollovers, increasing the risk of injury and death for vehicle occupants.
- Home Appliance Malfunctions: Defective home appliances can include space heaters that cause fires, blenders that unexpectedly shatter during use, or electrical gadgets that cause shocks.
- Contaminated Food Products: This could involve food tainted with bacteria like E. coli or products that contain foreign or harmful materials.
- Faulty Electronic Devices: From smartphones that catch fire to laptops that explode due to faulty batteries, these claims stem from the dangers of technology gone awry.
- Hazardous Cosmetics: Some defective beauty products cause severe allergic reactions, skin burns, or other health issues due to their chemical composition.
Who Could Be Liable in a Product Liability Claim?
A defective product can pass through several hands before reaching the consumer, and any of these entities could bear some responsibility for the malfunction or harm:
- Manufacturers: Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are free from defects, and they can be liable for manufacturing errors that lead to injuries.
- Designers: If a defect is rooted in the initial design of the product, the designer or design firm could be accountable for resulting harm.
- Suppliers: Those who supply the materials used to create a product can be liable if those materials are substandard or contaminated.
- Wholesalers: A wholesaler or distributor could be responsible if they play a role in a product’s storage, distribution, or transport that contributes to a defect.
- Retailers: The store or entity selling a product directly to the consumer can also be liable, even if it didn’t manufacture the product.
What’s the Process for Pursuing a Product Liability Claim?
Preparing and filing a product liability claim involves several steps, including the following:
- Seeking Medical Attention: Immediately after an injury, victims should get prompt medical care.
- Preserving the Product: It’s important to retain the defective item and its packaging as evidence.
- Consulting a Lawyer: An attorney can provide valuable insights and strategies for the claim.
- Investigating: The lawyer will gather evidence, including witness statements and documentation.
- Initiating the Claim: A formal notice goes to responsible parties detailing defects and injuries.
- Engaging in Negotiations: Before heading to court, both sides often try to reach a settlement.
- Litigating: If a mutual agreement isn’t possible, the case could progress to trial for judgment.
Georgia Product Liability Laws
If you get hurt by a defective product in Georgia, it’s important to be aware of the filing windows within which you can take legal action. In most cases, you have a two-year window to file a claim, which begins on the date when you first sustain the injury. Waiting to act until after this window passes could result in losing your opportunity to pursue compensation.
Additionally, there’s a broader ten-year timeframe that applies from the date when you first purchased the product. If your injury occurs after this ten-year period, even if it’s within the two-year window from the date of injury, your claim might not be valid. These time constraints highlight the importance of acting promptly and hiring a trusted Alpharetta product liability lawyer after sustaining product-related injuries.
Average Settlement Amounts for Product Liability Claims
Each product liability case is unique, so no “average” settlement truly exists. The value of a claim can depend on factors like the severity of the injury, the degree of negligence involved, and the specifics of the faulty product. An experienced attorney can evaluate the details of your case and demand the compensation you deserve for losses such as:
- Injury-related medical expenses
- Medical costs you will likely incur in the future
- Lost income from missed work
- Losses in future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
How Can an Alpharetta Product Liability Lawyer Help Me with My Case?
Handling the nuances of a product liability claim can be daunting. Enlisting the support of a product liability lawyer can be a game-changer. They can help you with your case by:
- Investigating the product’s chain of custody to identify irregularities.
- Communicating with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers on your behalf.
- Gathering and analyzing evidence linking the product defect to your injury.
- Consulting with industry experts to strengthen the claim.
- Reviewing medical records to ascertain the extent and prognosis of your injuries.
- Negotiating settlements with opposing counsel or insurance companies.
- Filing all necessary legal documentation promptly and correctly.
- Representing you in court proceedings.
- Challenging any counterclaims or defenses raised by the other side.
- Advocating for maximum compensation, considering the full range of your losses.
Contact a Product Liability Lawyer in Alpharetta, Georgia
The road ahead might seem daunting, but remember, you don’t have to walk it alone. Let Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. be your steadfast advocate, fighting tirelessly for your rights and ensuring you receive what you’re owed.
Call us at 678-213-2401 and take the first step toward reclaiming your peace of mind.