Product Liability

Product Liability

Every day, we use a variety of different products, from kitchen appliances and cleaning solutions to electronics, power tools, and so much more. The last thing you expect is to sustain a serious injury from using a simple item. 

Unfortunately, injuries from defective products are all too common. You have the right to assume that the products you’ve bought or borrowed are safe to use. If that right has been violated, we can help you file a lawsuit against the manufacturer and claim the compensation that you deserve.

Frequently Defective Products

A product liability claim can be made against almost any kind of defective item. That said, we see cases involving certain products time and time again. Some of these common items include:

  • Children’s toys
  • Baby products
  • Vehicle parts and equipment
  • Industrial equipment
  • Chemicals
  • Medication
  • Medical equipment and devices

Although we see these products most often, there are countless others that could cause an injury. If you’ve been seriously hurt, it doesn’t matter what kind of item hurt you—we can still help you file a claim.

When Is the Manufacturer Responsible?

The manufacturer is responsible for your injuries if they have been negligent in some way. There are three categories of negligence that product liability claims usually fall into:

  • The first is when there’s a defect in the design of the product. Manufacturers should have enough experience to anticipate problems. For example, a crib’s plush padding may look comfortable, but in reality, is a suffocation risk. If a child is injured because the manufacturer should have known better, the child’s parents may be able to file a claim.
  • Another kind of negligence can happen during the manufacturing phase. If pieces of a product are not securely in place, or important components are missing, the product could cause serious harm. When this is the case, the manufacturers could be held accountable.
  • When products are inherently risky, manufacturers have a responsibility to warn consumers of that risk. A chainsaw, for example, is an extremely dangerous product if it’s not used properly. Even if the saw is perfectly designed and produced, the manufacturer has been negligent if they haven’t provided the proper instructions or warning labels.

Statute of Limitations

In Pennsylvania, you only have two years from the time of the injury or accident to file your product liability claim. Before you can file, you’ll need to gather evidence, collect medical records, and more. It’s our job to help you with this important process, but it usually takes time. It’s important you speak to an attorney as soon as you can.

If You’ve Been Hurt, We Can Help

No one should be hurt by a product they assume is safe to use. If you’ve been injured, reach out to O’Donnell Law Offices today. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at (570) 821-5717 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

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