Injuries from defective products can have lasting consequences
Product defects harm many Americans annually, with 6,000 injuries/illnesses and 23 deaths reported in 2021. Manufacturers must prioritize safety in their design and production processes to minimize the risk of consumer injuries. However, when companies fail to provide this legal duty of care, they must be held accountable for the pain and damage they cause.
When someone is injured or suffers a loss due to a defective product, their best option for relief is often to file a product liability lawsuit.
The product liability lawyers at McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, know how overwhelming it can feel for victims to file claims against large manufacturers and big corporations. That's why we are committed to helping families devastated by defective products fight for the compensation and accountability they deserve.
Dangerous products take many forms
Defective product injuries occur when products are poorly designed, inadequately manufactured, or improperly labeled, leading to unforeseen accidents and harm. These defects can result from errors at any stage of the product’s life cycle, from design to distribution. The most common types of products usually involved in defective product claims and lawsuits include:
- Car parts: Defective car parts such as brakes, airbags, tires, and ignition switches can lead to serious accidents and injuries on the road.
- Truck parts: Defects in truck parts like brakes, tires, steering systems, and trailer hitches can result in catastrophic truck accidents with significant damage and injuries.
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications: Defective medications can cause adverse side effects, allergic reactions, or even worsen a medical condition, leading to harm or death.
- Children's toys: Defective toys may pose choking hazards, have sharp edges, or contain toxic materials, endangering the safety of children who use them.
- Power tools: Malfunctioning power tools can cause severe injuries such as cuts, burns, or electrocution to users or bystanders.
- Heavy machinery, forklifts, and other PITs: Defective industrial equipment can lead to workplace accidents, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
- Electronic appliances: Defective electronic appliances like smartphones, laptops, or kitchen appliances may pose fire hazards or electrical shock risks to users.
- Furniture and home decor: Defective furniture or home decor items may collapse, tip over, or have sharp edges, causing injuries or property damage.
- Medical devices: Defective medical devices such as implants, prosthetics, or surgical instruments can result in complications, infections, or other health risks for patients.
- Sporting goods: Defective sporting goods like helmets, protective gear, or exercise equipment may fail to provide adequate safety, increasing the risk of sports-related injuries.
In cases of defective products, all parties involved in the product's supply chain can be held accountable for damages. This includes designers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. If any of these parties were aware of the product's defects but failed to address them or adequately warn consumers, they may face legal consequences for their negligence.
Injuries common in defective product claims and lawsuits
Common injuries resulting from defective products vary widely depending on the product type and the defect's nature. However, injuries most often associated with defective product claims and lawsuits include:
Lacerations and cuts
Defective tools, kitchen appliances, or sharp-edged products can cause cuts and lacerations if they malfunction or break unexpectedly.
Burns
Malfunctioning electronics, kitchen appliances, or heating devices can cause burns due to electrical fires, overheating, or leaking hot liquids.
Fractures and broken bones
Defective furniture, toys, or sports equipment may break unexpectedly, leading to falls and injuries such as fractures and broken bones.
Traumatic brain injuries
Defective helmets, car seats, or safety equipment may fail to provide adequate protection, resulting in head injuries such as concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries.
Internal injuries
Defective medical devices or poorly designed products can cause internal injuries if they malfunction or fail during use, such as organ damage or internal bleeding.
Chemical exposures
Defective containers or packaging may leak harmful chemicals, leading to chemical burns, respiratory issues, or other toxic effects.
Electric shocks
Malfunctioning electrical appliances, tools, or gadgets can cause electric shocks, resulting in injuries ranging from minor shocks to more severe electrical burns or cardiac issues.
Crushing injuries
Defective machinery, automotive parts, or heavy equipment can malfunction, causing crush injuries if they collapse or fail unexpectedly.
Amputations
If defective power tools or machinery with inadequate safety guards malfunction during use, they can cause traumatic amputations.
Eye injuries
Defective products such as toys or tools with sharp edges or projectiles can cause eye injuries, including scratches, punctures, and potentially vision loss.
Product liability claims are complex
Arkansas is a "strict liability" state, which means that sellers of defective products may be held liable to the same extent as the manufacturers who made them. However, the state also applies a standard of modified comparative fault to damages, which means compensation for injuries and losses can be reduced by the victim's contribution to causing the damages. Manufacturers, sellers, insurance providers, and their lawyers know this. That's why in defective product cases, the first move by negligent parties is usually to blame the victims.
Injuries from defective products can have lifelong impacts, such as chronic pain or disability. Victims are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more to address past, current, and future injury-related damages. However, navigating the legal process is complex because the responsibility for the defect may lie with multiple parties along the product's supply chain.
Proving liability often requires extensive investigation and expert testimony. Additionally, manufacturers and other liable parties often have powerful legal teams representing their interests, making it challenging for individual victims to pursue fair compensation on their own. That's where experienced defective product attorneys can make a difference.
Our attorneys hold negligent companies accountable
At McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, we know your case is about more than money. It's about justice. It's about helping to keep others from suffering the same fate. If you were injured or a loved one died due to a defective product, our product liability attorneys can fight to protect your rights. Contact us for a free case evaluation. We can listen to the details of what happened, answer questions, and explain your legal options for compensation. We serve Northeast Arkansas, including Jonesboro, Paragould, Craighead County, Lawrence County, Greene County, Mississippi County, Poinsett County, and surrounding areas. Contact us anytime.
