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Defective Products

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed by defective and dangerous products ranging from automobiles, dangerous toys, household appliances, industrial equipment, drugs and medical devices. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

A defective cable starts smoking, leading to a dangerous situationMost people assume that everyday consumer goods, ranging from cars to drugs to appliances to toys, tools and other common household products, are carefully tested and approved by the manufacturer and government. But design problems, insufficient warnings, and manufacturing defects can make ordinarily safe items dangerous and sometimes, deadly. Those injured or killed by defective products may be able to hold the maker responsible under the law. This area of law is commonly referred to as “Product Liability Law“.

Most product defects are discovered well before they cause injury to someone. It is important to report defective products to the government and manufacturer in order to to alert others to the potential dangers posed by the product. For more information on reporting a defective product or filing a formal complaint about a product, see How to File a Consumer Complaint. For more information concerning dangerous or recalled drugs, see our defective drugs information section.  Unfortunately, sometimes it takes multiple instances of serious injury or even death before a product is deemed too harmful to remain on the market, as was the case with the 2021 recall of the Peloton Tread+ after one child was killed and several others were injured by the perilous fitness product.

When a manufacturer fails to use the care necessary to provide a product that is reasonably safe, oftentimes the result is life long catastrophic injuries for the unsuspecting user. If you’ve been injured by a defective or dangerous product, filing a lawsuit against the negligent party may not only benefit and protect you, but also force the manufacturer to design a safer product so that others can be spared from suffering similar injuries.

A boy stands on a hoverboard, a product which have been known to cause dangerous firesPursuing litigation against a manufacturer or pharmaceutical company is a long and arduous process. Many of the people who are injured (or who have lost a loved one) as result of a defective drug, product, automobile, toy, or medical device do so because they are driven by a desire to improve, or remove the product from the market, and prevent its use from harming others. Diana Levine, of the infamous Wyeth v. Levine case (one of multiple controversies involving Wyeth), is a an example of someone fighting to protect others from future harm (caused by the way a dangerous drug was administered).

Surprisingly, while hospital emergency room visits were down overall during the Covid-19 pandemic, visits related to some dangerous products actually rose.  This is likely due to people spending more time at home during lockdowns and thus chainging their behavior.  ER visits rose for several categories of dangerous consumer products, including: fireworks, scooters, hoverboards, and batteries.  Bicycle injuries also rose sharply for riders above the age of 40.

The Legal Examiner has arranged important information about faulty products and how to obtain a defective product attorney into the following sections:

Safety and Prevention
Find out how product-related injuries happen and practical steps you can take to keep your family safe

What to Do When an Accident Happens
Learn more about common product injuries and the first things you should do when an accident happens

Legal Issues
Explore the legal process that deals with harmful products and product liability and learn more about your legal rights

Dangerous Consumer Products
Discover the hidden dangers in common, everyday products and what to do when you’ve been injured

Defective Medical Devices and Implants
Medical devices, including implants, often do more harm than good, and are regularly the subject of emergency recalls.  Learn about the dangers here.

Dangerous Automobile Products
Learn how products like airbags, seatbelts, etc. may actually add to your injury and what to do if you’ve been hurt

In each of these articles you will find expert analysis, key strategies, and bottom line advice to help you face the issues surrounding defective products.  By searching The Legal Examiner for information on specific products, you may be better-equipped to avoid dangerous and defective products altogether.

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