There are many ways to get injured, but defective products can cause major damage and injury without warning. Luckily, you can usually sue for your medical bills. If you would like to know more about defective products and personal injury, keep reading.
What Is a Defective Product?
Defective products are either designed with a flaw, manufactured with a flaw, and/or not properly marked (warnings, ingredients, use instructions, etc.). If the design has a flaw, every product is a potential hazard and should be recalled. If the product was manufactured with a flaw, only one or two batches may be affected.
Some products are manufactured and designed fine, but they lack proper safety warnings, which could lead to injury. Similarly, if the directions are missing or inaccurate, users could get hurt. On the other hand, if the product was safe and clearly marked, but you misused the product, you cannot sue.
Who Can You Sue?
Naturally, if you get injured by a defective product, you can sue the manufacturer of the product. However, you can also sue anyone in the chain of distribution, including distributors and retailers. If one part of the product was defective, you may also be able to sue the manufacturer who made that part of the product.
Depending on your injuries, you can sue for medical bills, lost income, and/or pain and suffering. If the manufacturer knew the product was defective, the courts may also award punitive damages. If a loved one died from the defective product, you can also sue for wrongful death, loss of future income, loss of future services, etc.
What if You Were Injured While Working?
If you're injured at work, you usually can't file a lawsuit. You must file a workers' compensation claim. The benefit of workers' compensation is that you don't have to prove fault. Even if you caused your injury by accident, you can file a claim.
However, if you were injured by a defective product while working, you can still sue the manufacturer. This allows you to get more money since workers' compensation only covers medical bills and some lost income. However, you will have to prove fault, so the process can take a little longer.
If you've been injured by a defective product, you need to consider a lawsuit. Even if you were working, you can seek a fair settlement. If you would like to know more, contact a defective product law office in your area today.
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