Any type of product can have a potentially harmful defect. Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that product liability cases can stem from malfunctioning sports gear, toys, home maintenance items and even furniture.
According to Cornell University, there are several parties who may be liable for a product defect. These include the designer, manufacturer or vender.
If you were injured by a product malfunction, then you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, health-care bills and other damages. A personal-injury attorney can evaluate your case, calculate your damages and represent your interests.
- Health-Care Expenses
Injuries from defective products can cost a veritable fortune to treat. In addition to the immediate treatment, some victims require ongoing medical support. Fortunately, you may be able to recover these losses by making a claim against the at-fault party.
- Cost of Disability
A serious injury may require lifestyle changes and adjustments to your home or vehicle. This is particularly common when product defects cause paralysis, brain damage or other disabilities. You may be able to recover the costs of these changes in a civil claim.
- Property Damage
If a defective product damaged your personal property, then you may be entitled to compensation to replace or repair it.
- Lost Wages
A serious injury may require you to take time off work. The loss of income can lead to overwhelming debt.
You can claim lost wages from the at-fault party. If your injury has reduced your future earning capacity, then you can claim future loss of wages, as well.
- Pain and Suffering
You may be able to claim compensation for pain and suffering if your injury caused stress, anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life. Your personal-injury lawyer will likely use a multiplier to determine a dollar value of your pain and suffering. He or she will multiply your economic losses, which include lost income and medical bills, by a fixed number – usually between one and five.
Recovering compensation from a product liability claim is not always a straightforward process. The at-fault party may deny liability, or the insurance company may offer a settlement that does not cover your ongoing medical bills.