About 1 in 10 people fall sick worldwide due to contaminated food products annually. However, victims of product-related injuries or deaths have the right to seek compensation from the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, manufacturers often have the financial means to fight any allegation made against them. Therefore, getting a reasonable settlement could be an uphill legal struggle.
This is where the service of a personal injury lawyer comes in. They help you recover full compensation while ensuring you don’t make any errors that might increase your legal expenses.
This article explains the role of a personal injury lawyer in a product liability case. It also explains why you should consult a lawyer before filing a lawsuit or agreeing to a settlement with any company.
What Does a Product Liability Case Involve?
As the name implies, “product liability” refers to the legal responsibility producers and retailers have for injuries caused by faulty goods they sell.
When you use a product properly, it should not cause harm. However, if a product causes damage due to a defect in the product, you can sue the manufacturer with a personal injury claim. You may ask, what is a personal injury claim?
A personal injury claim is a lawsuit that seeks compensation for an accident that happens as a result of someone’s fault. People usually seek the help of personal injury lawyers to claim damages from the party at fault for their harm.
Product liability is a type of personal injury claim that can be filed. Manufacturers may be held liable and ordered to compensate victims with product liability lawsuits. In most cases, the insurance provider of the manufacturer pays the damages.
When Should You Hire Personal Injury Lawyers?
There are several upsides to working with personal injury lawyers for your product liability case. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is often a good decision for various reasons, including having access to skilled legal counsel and safeguarding your rights. You should consult personal injury lawyers in the following circumstances.
1. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a typical product liability claim. Poor food storage, preparation, or distribution may cause food poisoning. Product liability lets you sue food manufacturers for food poisoning.
2. Lead Exposure
Lead poisoning is a serious issue that may cause irreversible damage, especially in women. Manufacturers must ensure lead-free products. Thus, if you purchase an item that causes lead poisoning, you may sue the manufacturer. They must warn purchasers about lead toxicity or get sued for lead poisoning.
3. Poor Product Assembly
Poor assembly of machines, cars and other items can cause serious accidents. Poor construction may cause electrocution, fires, and explosions. Under product liability laws, customers can get protection from negligent producers.
4. Flammability
Manufacturers must warn buyers of flammability. If you buy a flammable product that explodes without prior warning, product liability laws enable you to sue the manufacturers.
What are the Benefits of Hiring Personal Injury Lawyers for Product Liability Cases?
Here are six benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney for your product liability case:
1. Expertise in Injury Law
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When you employ a personal injury lawyer, you can access their experience in personal injury law.
A skilled personal injury lawyer will have a significant understanding of the laws surrounding your specific issue and will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Additionally, they can explain your legal alternatives and advise you on continuing your personal injury claim.
2. Determination of Liability
Anybody involved in creating or distributing a defective product may be liable for damages. Designers, manufacturers, quality assurance personnel, engineers, distributors, and retailers are all examples.
In some instances, more than one person or group may be to blame. Your personal injury attorney can thoroughly investigate the responsible parties and gather proof of wrongdoing.
3. Efficient Processing Time
If you are not a lawyer, navigating through intricate legal papers of personal injury lawsuits may be time-consuming and unpleasant.
When you have a personal injury attorney on your side, they can take care of the paperwork promptly, ensuring that you do not miss any key detail.
This way, thanks to the streamlined procedure, you may spend less time worrying about being caught up in bureaucracy and more time focusing on getting well after suffering an injury.
4. Compilation of Relevant Evidence
You must show liability, causation, and damages in court to get full compensation. However, this is complicated as the defendant may have some of the evidence you need to prove your case.
For instance, you may need the product’s blueprints and schematics to prove a design flaw. Ordinarily, this may be difficult for you. But your lawyer can collect this evidence and, if required, issue a subpoena to force the production of suppressed information.
If you want to prevent or lessen the impact of conflicts that might result in drawn-out litigation or a smaller financial recovery, you need a personal lawyer to help you gather all relevant evidence.
5. Avoiding Expensive Errors
Making a mistake might hurt your case even if you have proof to support your argument. Disputes may arise if you disregard your doctor’s directions and fail to schedule visits or pick up medicines. In addition, many people make the error of giving an opposing party a recorded statement or publishing the event or issue online. Hiring a personal injury attorney will help you avoid these pitfalls and make well-informed judgments.
6. Getting Full Compensation
If you do not hire a lawyer, you risk accepting a settlement far lower than what you deserve.
Credible personal injury lawyers have the experience to estimate a fair settlement amount. More importantly, they have the skills to negotiate for maximum compensation.
Conclusion
People are injured every day because of manufacturers’ carelessness or recklessness. It gets even worse when they bear the burden of pain, suffering, medical expenses, or other losses. If you have a product liability case, you should seek the advice of a personal injury attorney.
Hiring a personal injury attorney lets you concentrate on getting well from your injuries without worrying about the legal implications. Your personal injury lawyers will go through your medical bills and insurance claims and do everything it takes to obtain the compensation you deserve.