Product Liability Lawyers Washington DC

Each time we use a new product, we expect to be provided with comprehensive instructions that show how to use the product safely and have an additional expectation that the product will do what it is advertised to do and function as intended. These expectations are legally protected under a variety of US consumer protection laws and are overseen and regulated by the United States Bureau of Consumer Protection. 

Under US product law, product companies are expected to engage in accurate advertising that does not misrepresent the outcomes a consumer can expect while using the product. In addition, consumers have every legal right to expect that the product company, associated manufacturers, distributors, and marketing agencies that collaborated on this product have taken all necessary steps to ensure that the product is safe and free of defects, will function as expected, and can be safely operated by following the instructions for the intended use. 

You Deserve Compensation For Your Injuries

While, in most cases, a consumer can use a product without incident, there are countless examples of defective products that have either injured or killed users through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a defective product — whether the defect lies with marketing, craftsmanship, or design — you may be entitled to compensation for a range of impacts you have suffered and may continue to suffer for months or years to come. 

Working with a product liability lawyer is one of the best ways to handle this process, as taking on a massive company (or multiple companies, depending on which participants along the supply chain assume liability for your accident) can be overwhelming. Product companies have legal teams focused on handling these claims and either settling as quickly and inexpensively as possible or simply denying liability outright. 

Contact Balkin & Mausner For a Free Consultation With a Product Liability Lawyer Today

Our law firm offers a free consultation for victims of defective products where we can discuss the many specifics of your situation and provide you with a clear understanding of how we can help you move forward with your case. There are many different impacts of an accident, some of which do not have readily calculable dollar values associated with them, and you are entitled to compensation for each. 

Trying to build a claim, handle communications, interpret your legal options, and fight for a fair payment can feel nearly impossible while focusing on your recovery — something that both defense attorneys and insurance adjusters will use to their advantage. When you partner with an experienced personal injury attorney, you can remain focused on your medical, personal, and professional needs while we fight for your legal right to compensation. 

Contact us now to speak directly with an experienced legal professional and learn more about how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. 

Types of Product Liability Cases

The following are the general types of product liability cases, but under each of these umbrellas, there are countless specific situations and types of defective product issues that can lead to severe or fatal accidents. These categories are meant to give you a general idea of how these cases are classified. Whether or not you understand which your situation may fall under, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to get a specific understanding of your accident.

Defective Manufacturing

During the manufacturing process for any product, there are several opportunities for things to go wrong, which is why quality control checks are so important throughout the production and manufacturing phase. Manufacturing or workmanship defects may simply lead to a product not functioning properly in that a user is unable to get it to start. There is the additional risk that this type of defect will lead to a failure during usage that can cause serious injuries. 

Quality control checks are an important part of the manufacturing and production process. A failure to identify these types of flaws or issues leaves the product company liable for any issues that a user may suffer as a result. Depending on the nature of the defect, this could be a one-off issue or may be widespread.

Defective Design

No amount of quality control can eliminate issues caused by defective designs, but the concept and iteration phases of a product should typically identify these types of problems and lead to a redesign. Alpha and beta testing phases allow product designers to see how the product is used in an uncontrolled environment and identify critical issues such as unexpected uses that may highlight a design flaw, but even so, serious design issues may not be recognized until the product is launched to the general public. 

In defective design cases, there are often many injuries associated with the specific flaw that the company must be held accountable for, often through class action lawsuits. Whether you decide to file an individual complaint against the company or go through a class action channel, our law firm will be happy to advise you through this process and fight for the money you are rightfully entitled to after suffering from this type of avoidable accident.

Defective Marketing or a Failure to Warn

Product marketing is meant to be compelling and generate interest, but companies cannot make false statements or guarantee untrue outcomes as they advertise their products. Even a slogan suggesting that a product “gives you wings” was found to be a false declaration, and Red Bull was required to pay a substantial amount of money to several claimants about this false advertising. 

In addition to truth in marketing, product companies are required to provide comprehensive instructions and safety documentation that highlights the methods of proper usage for a product, any risks of injury, and any other relevant information that can help a user stay safe while using the product. Failure to do so can cause an accident. Those injured in an accident because they did not have the necessary information to avoid injury may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages.