According to the Insurance Information Institute, there was a 34-percent decrease in the number of children’s product recalls from 2013 to 2014. Additionally, there was an average of five incidents per recalled product in 2014, whereas in 2013, there was an average of 14 injury or death incidents per recalled product.
Despite the promising decline in these statistics, defective products still pose a serious risk to Americans of all ages. A small oversight during the design, manufacture, or distribution of a product could have tragic consequences for consumers.
If you or a loved one sustained debilitating injuries due to a product defect, contact Ballard Law, PLLC to discuss your case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer in Madison.
Read on to learn about three parties who may be liable for damages in a product liability case:
- The Designer
Some products are flawed from the start. If your injuries occurred because the product you were using had a design flaw that made it inherently unsafe, you might be entitled to compensation from the designer or engineer.
- The Manufacturer
Sometimes products have a seamless design, but issues arise during the manufacturing process. If the product you used had a defect in its manufacturing or assembly, you can pursue damages from the manufacturer.
If the product you used had multiple parts that came from multiple manufacturers, you would typically name the manufacturer of the defective parts as the defendant in your lawsuit. If a third party assembled or installed the product and you sustained injuries as a result of faulty installation, you could also name the assembler or installer in your lawsuit.
- The Distributor or Vender
Product defects can also occur due to the negligence of the distributor or vender. For example, if the distributor stored the product improperly, you might have a valid injury claim against the person or company that distributed the product. You may also have a case against the vender if it failed to investigate the safety of the product before selling it to customers.
The distributor can be liable in cases that involve inadequate warnings, as well. For example, if the distributor creates its own packaging for the product but it fails to include safety information on the label, it could be liable for any injuries or deaths that occur as a result.
Product liability law is complicated, and the specifics vary from state to state. If you sustained serious injuries after using a defective or improperly labeled product, contact Ballard Law, PLLC.
William E. Ballard will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation with a Madison injury attorney. You can learn more about personal injury lawsuits in Mississippi by visiting the USAttorneys website.
