We buy products for convenience, necessity, or entertainment–to make our lives easier or better. The last thing we expect is a product to make life worse. But when products malfunction, are defective, have a design flaw, or other problems, using them can cause serious harm and, in the most tragic cases, lead to an untimely, preventable death.
A Laughlin personal injury lawyer is ready to help if a problem product has hurt you or someone you love. With 60-plus years of combined experience handling injury cases, the team at H&P Law is well-prepared to bring your case to the best resolution possible. Connect with a Laughlin product liability lawyer today and work toward financial recovery and justice.
Reasons for Product Liability Claims
Any injury caused by a compromised product may present grounds for a product liability claim. Through the claim, you–the victim–hold the party responsible for their role in creating the problem, resulting in your injuries and related consequences. Product design, marketing, or manufacturing defects typically prompt product liability cases.
Design Defects
Products with inferior or just “bad” design can be unsafe, even when used appropriately. For example, toy box hinges should be designed to close slowly to avoid hitting children on the head. A poor design can cause the lid to close violently, wounding the child.
Vehicles, especially SUVs or other large vehicles, must be designed for stability. If they are engineered improperly, they may easily become unbalanced. As a result, they could tip or roll over during normal driving conditions.
Even packaging can have design defects. Chemical products must be designed not to splash when opened. Improper design can cause eye injuries or chemical burns.
Marketing Defects
Products must come with user-friendly, and clear safety instructions and warnings. Instructions must thoroughly explain the proper use and handling of the product. Failure to provide this information accurately and in easy-to-understand language can lead to accidental misuse and subsequent user injury.
Manufacturing Defects
Design and instructions for use may be in order, but something can go wrong during product construction. Products may leave the manufacturer with defects only discovered upon use–and unexpected malfunction. Car features–brakes, fuel pumps, airbags–lithium batteries, and even toy defects–plastic edges left sharp or small pieces unsecured can cause serious injury.
Possible Culpable Parties
A variety of parties may bear culpability for injury-causing product flaws. The first order of business for your product liability attorney in Laughlin is to determine who is liable:
- Manufacturing company
- Designers and engineers
- Material providers
- Distributors
- Sellers–wholesale and in some cases–retail
Injuries Sustained in Product Liability Cases
Injuries caused by defective products can be severe, requiring extensive medical care and recovery time, creating significant financial and emotional burdens to families. In the most tragic situations, victims die from their injuries. Types of injuries include:
- Burns: Defective lithium batteries can explode, burning victims and anything else nearby. If ingested, cleaning solutions or other chemicals can cause chemical burns, damaging the skin, eyes, and internal organs.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Choking causes Oxygen deprivation, which can lead to traumatic brain injuries. Young children are most at risk for products with choking hazards.
- Broken Bones: Accidents caused by motor-vehicle or bicycle malfunctions can break bones.
- Lacerations: Power tools for construction or even use in the kitchen are often equipped with sharp blades. Flaws can cause deep cuts or amputations.
- Illness: Products containing toxins or bacteria can cause cancers or other diseases. An article found in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports on a verdict awarding victims massive compensatory damages for incidences of ovarian cancer caused by tainted talc products.
There is no limit, unfortunately, to the types of injuries victims can sustain. Even injuries that can heal take time away from work and come with medical expenses, and those that are catastrophic change victims’ lives permanently. If your loved one dies from their injuries, talk to your attorney about what to expect from a wrongful death case.
Steps Your Product Liability Lawyer in Laughlin Will Take
Once you partner with H&P Law, you can focus on recovery while your Laughlin product liability lawyer takes the steps needed to build a strong case. Our team will handle all legalities and communication with the involved parties. You can expect your Laughlin product liability attorney to:
- Investigate thoroughly, finding the cause of the problem and identifying the responsible party.
- File a product liability claim against the at-fault party. Nevada Revised Statutes §1190 establishes two years as the statute of limitations deadline for filing most personal injury claims. Still, the deadline extends to four years for some product liability cases.
- Compile evidence proving the at-fault party’s negligence and the extent and effects of your injuries.
- Calculate your losses accurately–your attorney will not overlook details or underestimate the costs of your injuries. Your income loss and future lost wages (if applicable), medical and future care expenses, property damage, additional expenses, and your physical and emotional suffering all factor into the value of your case.
- Send the at-fault party a settlement demand and follow up with strategic negotiations, working towards a fair settlement.
- Advise you of your case status and give updates throughout the process. Should the at-fault party fail to negotiate in good faith, your product liability lawyer in Laughlin will discuss the option of taking your case to court and provide exceptional representation should you decide to go to trial.
It is best to connect with a product liability attorney in Laughlin promptly after your accident to ensure you file your claim within Nevada’s statute of limitations. If you fear you have missed that deadline–get in touch anyway. Some cases warrant extensions or “tolling” of those deadlines, and you can count on your attorney to advocate fiercely for that extension.
Let a Laughlin Product Liability Attorney Assist You with Your Claim Today
The team at H&P Law is on your side. We know how injuries affect all aspects of victims’ and their families’ lives. Our goal is to help you move toward recovery.
By holding at-fault parties accountable for your losses, you and your Laughlin product liability lawyer have the chance to secure substantial compensation for continued access to the best medical care and financial resources for a more stable future.
