Most people would not think twice about whether an item intended for household use could be dangerous. In fact, you have every right to assume the products you purchase are safe for use as the manufacturer intended. Unfortunately, everyday items can cause severe, sometimes even fatal, injuries if a defect occurs during the planning, production, or labeling process.
If you have experienced harm due to one of these failures, you have the right to hold the seller or manufacturer accountable with the help of a credible personal injury attorney. An Orland Park defective products lawyer could get to work on the details of your incident so that you can focus on getting your life back on track. Contact us today.
Almost any product has the potential to be defective and cause injuries to the user. However, some of the most common products in liability claims include:
If a product causes injury while the consumer uses it correctly or does not adequately warn of potential hazards, the injured individual could hold the manufacturer responsible for their incident. Taking legal action with the help of a skilled defective products attorney in Orland Park could result in compensation being awarded to help cover these damages. There are three major categories of defective product injury claims.
Defective design issues arise when an inherent flaw occurs during the blueprint formation process of a product. This will typically result in the manufacturer’s entire line being defective since the error is in the design itself.
Defective manufacturing refers to a mistake that is made during the production phase. Similar to defective design, this can make all products in a particular batch dangerous. The cases could arise from issues including toxic chemicals and failure to install components or parts effectively.
Manufacturers must provide adequate warning labels to notify consumers of all potential hazards. If the label is missing information or is otherwise incorrect, an inadequate warning claim could be filed. This is also the case with product instructions that are unclear or vague.
The civil statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits states a claim must be filed within two years from the date of injury or the date the party should have reasonably known they sustained injuries. However, the injured person must also file the claim within the statute of repose for product liability claims.
According to Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 ILCS 5/13-213, an individual must file the defective product civil claim within ten years of possession of the product by the seller or 12 years from the date the seller sold the item to the initial user. The statute expires on whichever date is the earliest.
If a claim is successful, award amounts could cover expenses that relate to the injury, including:
A seasoned Orland Park defective products attorney could further help to determine what potential damages might be available. They could also answer questions on the statute of limitations and any relevant exceptions.
Manufacturers and sellers have a legal responsibility to ensure the products they put on the shelves for consumers are safe. Unfortunately, there are times when this duty of care is breached, and innocent people pay the consequences.
If you have been injured by a defective or otherwise unsafe product and would like to know if you could pursue compensation, contact a knowledgeable Orland Park defective products lawyer today.