You’d think that products sold in the United States would have to undergo extensive testing to ensure that they’re safe. However, that’s not always the case. The government doesn’t have to approve most products before they’re sold. Manufacturers are largely responsible for making sure that the products they manufacture are safe. However, there generally aren’t safety testing requirements.
Unfortunately, manufacturers and big multinational corporations tend to prioritize profit over the safety of their consumers. Dangerous and defective products are sold in the United States every day. As a result, many consumers suffer needless and avoidable injuries. The companies responsible for these defective products must be held financially accountable for the harm they case.
Have you or someone you love been injured because of a defective product in Austin? Contact the experienced Austin injury lawyers at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC to learn about your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation, and we can help you get it. Your first consultation is free, so call for help today.
Why Should I Hire a Product Liability Attorney?
Companies will fight you tooth and nail when you try to blame one of their products for your injuries. You risk not getting the money you deserve if you decide to handle a product liability lawsuit on your own. By hiring an attorney you level the playing field. You’ll stop big companies from taking advantage of you and force them to take your claim seriously.
Since 2001, the attorneys at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC have been dedicated to helping accident victims across the state. Our aggressive approach has allowed us to obtain substantial money damages for our injured clients. We can help you get the money you need after you’ve been injured by a defective product. Call us today to learn more.
What is Product Liability?
Companies that sell products in Texas have to make sure that they’re safe. While the government doesn’t have to approve products before they’re sold, there are laws in place to hold manufacturers accountable. If you’re injured because of a defective product you’re protected by Texas product liability laws.
Strict Liability vs. Negligence
There are two ways to pursue compensation for injuries caused by a defective product. You can bring a lawsuit based on negligence or strict liability. Negligence means that a company knew or should have known about a hazard inherent in its product but failed to do anything about it. When you argue negligence, you have to prove a manufacturer owed you a duty of care and breached it.
Fortunately, you don’t always have to rely on negligence to get money when you’re injured because of a defective product. Companies can be strictly liable for injuries caused by their products. Strict liability means that they’re responsible despite the level of care they used in creating the product.
Types of Product Liability Claims
There are three primary ways to pursue compensation with a product liability lawsuit. You can argue that you were injured because of a design defect, manufacturing defect, or marketing defect.
Design Defect: A design defect exists when a product is unsafe because of the way it was designed. Companies can be liable for a design defect if there was a safer way to create the product.
- Example: a company creates a medical device that breaks apart after it’s implanted in patients. It’s later determined that the device is defective because of the way it’s designed, not because of how it was put together. The device is going to be dangerous no matter how it’s used.
Manufacturing Defect: A manufacturing defect exists when a product isn’t built to its design specifications. The danger exists because there was an error in the manufacturing process. A manufacturing defect can affect one product or an entire batch or products.
- Example: a company builds a swing set but forgets to use nuts to hold bolts in place, as required by the product design. The product is defective because of the way it was built.
Marketing Defect: A marketing defect exists when a company fails to warn consumers about risks or dangers associated with a product. Consumers have to be able to know how to use products safely. This is why you see so many warning labels and instructions on the things you buy.
- Example: a company sells an appliance that it knows can get quite hot when it’s used for an extended time. They may be liable for burn injuries sustained by consumers if they don’t tell them about this known risk.
Don’t let companies get away with selling you dangerous products. Hold them accountable for the defects in the products they design, manufacture, or sell.
What Products Tend To Be Defective?
Any product can be dangerous if it’s defective. We’ve successfully handled hundreds of product liability cases, including those involving defective:
- Toys
- Cars
- Airbags
- Medical devices
- Prescription drugs
- Appliances
- Tools and construction equipment
- Food, and more.
Defective Product Injuries in Austin
Products can cause a lot of harm when they don’t work correctly. Common defective product injuries include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Crushing injury
- Degloving
- Amputation
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death, and more.
Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you’ve suffered an injury while using a product. Prompt medical care can reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
When Can I File a Defective Product Lawsuit?
Don’t waste any time after you’ve been injured because of a defective product. In Texas, the statute of limitations for bodily injury claims is two years. So, you must file your product liability lawsuit no later than two years after you learn about (or should have discovered) your injury.
You will lose the right to recover compensation from a manufacturer if you wait too long to file your claim. Contact the experienced legal team at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC to get started today.
What Damages Are Available to Injured Consumers in Austin?
Defective products can do a lot of damage. You deserve money for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. The company who is responsible for designing, manufacturing, or selling the product that hurt you must be held accountable. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to help you get the money you deserve.
You might be entitled to monetary damages to compensate for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation, and more.
Don’t let an insurance company or manufacturer decide what your injuries are worth. The legal team at Lorenz & Lorenz has spent the last two decades building relationships with some of the best injury experts in Texas. They’ll help us understand your case and make sure it’s valued correctly. We can approach negotiations armed with their expert opinions and demand the money you deserve.
Call Our Austin Product Liability Lawyers For Help
You trusted that the products you bought were safe. Unfortunately, the company that sold your product didn’t make sure it was free of defects before it got into your hands. Now you’re struggling with painful injuries that might affect you for the rest of your life.
Contact Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC if you’ve been injured because of a defective product. Our attorneys will fight to help you obtain a financial award. You have a limited amount of time to act, so call today to schedule your free consultation.