Personal injury covers a number of different practice areas. This includes accidents that occur as a result of defective products. If you have been injured due to the use of a defective product, you may be liable for compensation by way of a personal injury claim or lawsuit. This article will present frequently asked questions with respect to defective products or products liability.

According to the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, “products liability refers to the liability of any or all parties along the chain of manufacture of any product for damage caused by that product. This includes the manufacturer of component parts, an assembling manufacturer, the wholesaler and the retail store owner. Products containing inherent defects that cause harm to a consumer of the product would be the subjects of products liability suits.”

An attorney from Crowson Law Group, Wasilla office, provided responses to some questions. One of the first questions asked was: What does defective product mean? In response to this question, the attorney stated that “a defective product is a product that causes injury or damage to a person due to some defect in the product itself, the way it is labelled or the manner in which the product is used.” In addition, the attorney stated that the manufacturer or the person who sold the product to the consumer can be held liable for the injury or damage caused to the consumer. The attorney went on to state that products liability cases or defective products can range from car seats with handles that break when they are being carried to the harmful side effects of a drug that is improperly tested.

Another question asked is what is the basis for a products liability claim? This question brought up the fact that there are three basic types of product defects:

1.Manufacturing defects - this is where the product is well designed but the manner in which it was made, makes it unsafe. This could be as a result of weak materials used to make the product, etc.

2.Design defects - this is whereby the design of the product is unsafe so that the entire product line is unreasonably dangerous. For example, this could be where a protective seal of a product adversely reacts to acids in the product, making the product dangerous for use. Design defects also are applicable to the manner in which a product is packaged.

3.Insufficient instructions or warnings - this is whereby the manufacturer may design a product that is perfectly safe and has no manufacturing defects but fails to include proper warnings instructions for the safe operation or use of the product.

The attorney stated that, “as with any other personal injury case, it is necessary to prove a products liability case. However, unlike the basis of other personal injury cases, which is negligence with respect to a products liability cases, the basis is generally on ‘strict liability’. Strict liability, basically, means that you do not have to prove fault but only that the product was defective, it injured you, and your injury was caused by the defect“.

Another question that is frequently asked is: Will it affect my case if I used the product in a way that it was not necessarily intended? In response to this, one article stated that, “manufacturers are obligated to anticipate foreseeable misuse by consumers. They are required to warn consumers about potential dangers when using the product in a manner it is not intended. If it was not possible to foresee the manner in which a consumer used a product, the manufacturer may not be liable for any damages.”

If you have a products liability case, contact a personal injury accident lawyer in Wasilla for a free evaluation of your case.

About the company:

Crowson Law Group is a law firm of renowned professionals who focus on personal injury matters. For legal advice and representation, contact attorneys and law firms in Wasilla Ak.