Products liability law is an area of the law that protects victims of dangerous or defective products. It is important for injured victims who have been harmed by a dangerous or defective product to know who may be liable for the harm they have suffered. This way they can properly pursue a legal claim in hopes of recovering compensation for their damages.
Who is liable for a dangerous or defective product?
Lawsuit alleges Tesla door handle defect led to man's death
Tesla's electric cars get a lot of attention on Virginia streets with their sleek looks and forward-thinking technology. However, Teslas are also getting a lot of attention in the courts as plaintiffs allege that the vehicles' high-tech features are defective and dangerous.
Electric scooters and product liability
Small electric scooters are becoming a common sight in American cities, including Roanoke. Companies such as Bolt and Lime leave the scooters at various spots so that people can grab one, for a fee, when they need a quick trip around town.
Vaping and product liability
Electronic cigarettes and vaping technology have been growing in popularity, but along with this trend has come a worrying number of reports of lung injury. Some state and local governments have urged people to stop vaping after recent reports of an outbreak of lung disease connected to vaping products.
Are dangerous products being kept under wraps from consumers?
According to one report, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is prevented, by law, from disclosing the manufacturer and names of dangerous products that many consumers in Virginia and across the nation have in their home. One prime example is the Fisher-Price Rock and Play Sleeper. While the sleeper has since been recalled, 32 infants died due to the defective product. According to the CPSC, it knew that the sleeper was causing fatalities as far back as 2009, one decade before the sleeper was taken off store shelves.
A primer on what constitutes product liability
We are a society of consumers. We purchase goods to help ease problems or provide entertainment. No matter the purpose of a good, a consumer in Virginia and elsewhere believes that the product will work properly or as promised. Those that fail to do so could be defective. In some cases, this could simply mean that the product does not work at all. However, in other situations, this defect could cause the product to be dangerous, causing harm to a consumer.
Fighting for your rights following defective product injuries
Americans are fortunate to be able to purchase and use very resourceful products. Furthermore, they enjoy laws that regulate these products, helping to ensure they are safe. Unfortunately, errors could occur in the designing, manufacturing and selling of a product, resulting in a defective and even dangerous product.
How common are defective product injuries?
Whether it is a gift or a new purchase, we purchase and use consumer goods with the idea that they will work and complete the tasks that they were designed for. In some cases, a product will work just fine initially. However, due to a defect, the product malfunctions. While this could mean the product is simply broken and will not work, it could mean the consumer suffers injuries due to the malfunction.
Understanding dangerous design defects and proving them
On a daily basis, individuals in Virginia and elsewhere rely on certain products and goods to get through their day. This may be an oven to make a meal, a hairdryer to dry one's hair, a chainsaw to cut down a tree, a vacuum to clean the house or a vehicle to get around. Consumers expect these products to work as intended. Unfortunately, issues could occur, causing a product to not work properly or not work at all. In some cases, a defect in the product could cause the item to become dangerous, causing harm to the consumer.
Helping you recover damages in a products liability action
Buying something new is typically exciting. From a new vehicle to a new computer, one expects these products to not only work, but also work the way that they were intended to. A product that does not function right or at all is problematic. What is even more problematic is when a product is defective and causes harm to a consumer.
