When you purchase a product from a store, you trust that the appropriate parties have taken the necessary measures to ensure it’s safe when used. Unfortunately, when there’s an underlying defect, it can make even the most seemingly harmless products dangerous. When a product defect harms someone, they’re entitled to pursue legal action to seek monetary compensation for the damages they’ve incurred. Designers, manufacturers, and retailers are all responsible for ensuring the products they create, distribute, and sell are safe for consumer use. If you or someone you love has sustained an injury due to a defective product, it’s in your best interest to contact a competent New York City & Westchester Defective Product Lawyer who can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
What makes a product defective?
When a product has a flaw that makes it unreasonably dangerous, it is deemed defective. Defective products usually fall into one of the following three categories:
- Design defect: When a designer does not consider user safety when developing a product. Designers are required to create products that are reasonably safe when used as intended.
- Manufacturing defect: When there’s no issue with the initial design, but when it’s sent to production, the manufacturer does not follow proper protocol or stray from the approved design.
- Marketing defect: When there’s a failure to warn, the product has inadequate instructions regarding its proper use or fails to warn consumers of possible dangers associated with using the product.
What products tend to be defective?
Unfortunately, any product can contain defects that make it unreasonably dangerous. However, the following include but are not limited to some of the most common defective products:
- Cars: This may surprise you as automobiles have to pass extensive safety evaluations. Despite these safety evaluations, cars are often recalled. This is because vehicles comprise various complex parts, which means even the tiniest defect can have devastating consequences.
- Medical devices: Unfortunately, implants and other devices utilized by healthcare providers can fail. When medical devices fail, they can result in significant harm. For example, if a pacemaker is defective, it could result in fatality.
- Children’s toys: When you buy them, you reasonably assume they are safe for use. However, they are commonly produced from inherently dangerous designs.
- Prescription drugs: Pharmaceuticals must undergo extensive testing before entering the market. Despite this testing, new drugs may have some adverse side effects that are not discovered until after patients start taking the medication.
Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be liable for the injuries you sustain from a defective product. That said, it’s wise to enlist the legal assistance of a skilled lawyer from the Baèz Legal Group. We are prepared to help you fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.