Consumers trust the products they buy and use, but sometimes defective products end up on store shelves, causing injuries. When this happens, the manufacturer or other parties involved in the product’s distribution can be sued.
How does a product injury lawsuit work?
A product injury lawsuit is meant to recover damages caused by a faulty product. Recalls do not protect companies from liability. If a manufacturer fails to provide adequate instructions or warnings for potential harm, they may be liable for damages, including:
- Medical costs incurred from the injury
- Lost wages from missed work
- Lost earning capacity due to reduced working abilities
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Punitive damages for negligence by the company
- Common recalled products include:
- Child safety seats
- Cosmetics
- Food
- Medication
- Toys
- Cars
Who recalls products?
Several governing bodies are responsible for investigating and reporting product defects. These include:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
If you have suffered an injury and would like to see if the product was recalled, you can visit recalls.gov, which lists recalls from all U.S. regulatory agencies.
What to do if you are injured by a recalled product:
- Seek medical attention immediately and gather paperwork from your visit to provide proof that your injury was caused by a faulty product.
- Do not throw away the product and keep all its parts and packaging, including the instructions if there were any. Take photographs of the product and your injuries.
- Write down exactly what happened and any symptoms you experienced, and keep the receipt if you still have it.
Speak to an experienced product injury lawyer
As a consumer, you have the right to hold companies accountable for any harm their products have caused you. If you have been injured by a recalled product, you may be entitled to compensation from the company or distributor. Please give us a call today at (502) 583-6667 to discuss your case specifics at no charge.
