It’s always disheartening when something you purchase breaks quickly or doesn’t work like you anticipated it would. When you have a product whose problems can cause injuries or even deaths, like in the 2016 case of more than 10 United States deaths caused by Takata airbags, the stakes are even riskier. Negligence on the part of a manufacturer or business to properly design, test and create products and safety instructions can result in injuries in the home or at work and can affect people of all ages, including babies.
Some companies that discover they’ve produced and sold a defective product will work to protect the public by immediately recalling all products on the market. In July 2017, for example, Bush Brothers & Co. recalled three types of Bush’s baked beans products because of a defective quality on the cans that was discovered internally.
But if you’re not aware of a recall and own the product in question, you can still get injured. Another deadly defective product, ignition switches produced by General Motors, have been linked to 124 deaths and 275 injuries as of June 2017. The company has already agreed to settle lawsuits filed by more than 200 plaintiffs.
While you hope everything you use works safely and like it should, in the unfortunate case of Arizona accidents caused by defective products, consulting with a Mesa defective product lawyer can help protect you and anyone in your family who has been injured. In the tragic case of a death you believe was caused by negligence by a product manufacturer, talking with a Phoenix product liability lawyer is crucial.
What Constitutes a Defective Product?
Sometimes, a case of a defective product does not rely solely on the performance of the product. Sometimes, the manufacturer fails to explicitly state correct directions and safety procedures for using the product, which also constitutes as negligence.
Other defective products are considered “not fit for use” in that they can cause bodily harm to the person using them. In June 2017, a fidget spinner equipped with LED lights and Bluetooth capabilities reportedly burst into flames and is currently being investigated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Even products that are wildly popular and are produced in multiple versions can still produce grave dangers.
How Defective Products Get on the Market
While many businesses and manufacturers employ third-party safety testing to protect consumers of their products, technically any product can get to market without undergoing rigorous testing. Handmade products like beauty balms or bath salts, for example, may contain hazardous materials but make their way to Etsy stores.
A report by Business Insider recommends that retailers are the true gatekeepers to protecting customers since they can verify that what they’re selling has been tested and meets strict safety guidelines. But as seen by the prevalence of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones in 2016, even our most basic necessities are sometimes at risk. The faulty phones were due to problems involving batteries sourced from other manufacturers. While the Samsung team thought the design of the phones was flawless, third-party components increased consumer risk.
Your Rights with Defective Products
To protect yourself and your family from defective products as much as possible, conducting thorough research can help. You can research the manufacturing company and look up any recent recalls of products or lawsuits they’ve settled. You can go a step further, and look at brands they work with or whose products they feature in their own equipment.
You can also research the policies of retailers you’re shopping from to view their criteria on determining the products they sell. Read reviews from shoppers to gauge the overall quality of what they’ve purchased from the retailer has been.
Still, even if you diligently research and prepare before you actually purchase, there are factors outside of your control that can cause a defective product injury or even death. A fault may not have been detected yet, or misuse from improper safety instructions can cause an accident. When a defective product causes a serious injury that requires medical bills or causes you to miss time off from work, it’s wise to consult with a Phoenix defective product lawyer because you may have a case. Be sure to immediately get the medical treatment you need first, and carefully document the product and injuries for future use in a case. If someone in your family dies, and you believe the death was caused by a defective product, talking with a Phoenix wrongful death lawyer can help you build your case.
Because there are often many complexities involved with defective products, from actions of the manufacturer to those of a third-party, consulting with a Phoenix injury lawyer can help you to determine who may be at fault. Matt Millea does not charge unless you receive compensation for your case. Get a free consultation with the Millea law firm now. Call (480) 367-1922, or contact us online for Scottsdale defective product lawyer information.
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