Most people assume that the products we use in our daily lives are safe. Unfortunately, thousands of people suffer injury and death every year because of defective products. When a manufacturer produces a faulty item that causes an injury, the manufacturer is liable for the injured person’s losses.
At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Quakertown defective products lawyers represent people hurt by the actions of negligent manufacturers. Our well-known attorneys aren’t afraid to take on the big companies for the payment you deserve. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff and Managing Partner Rich Godshall have helped hundreds of clients recover millions of dollars in “misleading marketing” cases involving pharmaceutical manufacturers who failed to disclose known risks. Our firm is prepared to fight for you and your best interests.
Situations that Warrant a Defective Product Claim
Many accidents happen because a product is defective. For example, car and truck crashes often result from defective parts such as tires or brakes. A fire might happen because an electrical appliance or heating element is flawed. Severe injuries often result when power tools or ladders malfunction.
In many cases, a specific product might harm many people. For example, people have brought lawsuits against manufacturers because:
- Home pressure cookers with defective locks exploded, causing scalding and burns
- CPAP machines contain foam that disintegrates and could cause cancer
- Roundup pesticide contains cancer-causing chemicals
- Talcum powder causes respiratory disease and ovarian cancer
The manufacturer of a product must ensure that it is safe to use as directed. Our attorneys in Quakertown can review your case to determine how a product’s manufacturing or design defect led to your injury.
The Basis for a Products Liability Claim
The area of law that governs defective products is called products liability. When you bring a products liability claim, you and your lawyer must prove that a flaw in the product’s design, manufacture, or warnings caused your injury.
Types of Product Defects
Proving a design defect requires a Quakertown attorney to show that a different design would have produced a product that worked just as well, but was not as dangerous. A manufacturing defect is a flaw in the manufacturing process that caused the product to be made or assembled improperly. If the problem was related to inadequate instructions or warnings (a “failure to warn” claim), your lawyer must show that you would have used the product differently, or not used it at all, if you knew you or your loved one would be injured.
Proving Liability for a Faulty Consumer Good
A manufacturer might argue that the injured person’s conduct caused their injury. Pennsylvania has a law, 42 Penn Stat 7102, that allows manufacturers to pay less to people whose behavior contributed to their injury. The Quakertown attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can fight back and protect your right to full compensation by showing the manufacturer’s liability for the defective item.
Get Legal Advice as Soon as Possible
When a faulty product causes an accident leading to an injury, it is important to get legal help right away. Otherwise, the manufacturer might try to intimidate you into settling for a much smaller amount than you are entitled to.
Representatives from large companies sometimes approach an injured person soon after the accident, even while they are still in the hospital. They might say that the accident was your fault, or that their product did not really lead to the injury. They might pretend to be sympathetic and offer a small amount to settle the claim.
If you have a skilled product liability attorney working for you, the company will be less likely to try and exploit you. They know they must acknowledge their responsibility for making a dangerous product and negotiate in good faith to settle the claim for a reasonable amount.
Trust Your Defective Product Claim to Quakertown Attorney
If a company produces a shoddy or defective product that injures you, the manufacturer must pay for your losses. They should not get away with their negligent behavior.
The Quakertown defective products lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers are used to taking on big corporations and winning. Call to discuss your case with our well-known attorneys today.
