Defective Products Lawyers in Columbia Holding Manufacturers Accountable

When you buy something and take it out of the package for its first use, you have certain expectations. You know what the product does and how it should work. But what happens when something goes wrong, and you end up with a devastating injury because of a defective product? The law holds manufacturers accountable for the safety of their products, and that means that you may be able to sue the manufacturer or another involved party for damages related to your injury. Below, we answer some of the common questions we get regarding defective products and product liability cases, as well as how our firm may be able to help.

Cavanaugh &Thickens, LLC has the experienced team you want on your case if you’re looking for a defective products lawyer in the Columbia area. We will talk with you about your injuries and what happened and help you determine if they may be the fault of a negligent manufacturer.

What Are Defective Products?

Defective products are products that cause injury when used according to the instructions and as a reasonable person would be using them. A defective product could mean that just one product itself was defective, such as in the case of a product not going through the proper quality control steps. However, defective product cases can also include products that are problematic as a whole. You’ve probably seen recalls for products posted in mass market retailers. These are often based on injuries reported by consumers who used the products and found them defective in some way.

What Are the Requirements for a Defective Product Lawsuit?

When it comes to defective product lawsuits, also sometimes referred to as product liability cases, there are four main elements the victim needs to present for their case. The first is that you were injured by the project or during its normal use. If there is no injury, there are no grounds for compensation. Next, you need to present that the product was defective. This means that it operated in some manner that it was not supposed to. You will also need to show that the defect caused the injury. This is an important distinction that is made in these cases that can be a challenging obstacle to overcome, so it’s important to discuss this aspect with your attorney. Lastly, you need to show that you were injured during the ordinary and expected use of the product.

What Kind of Compensation May I Be Able to Get?

The compensation you may be eligible for in a defective product lawsuit usually depends on the type of injury you sustained. In general, the more serious the injury, the higher the amount of compensation you may be able to seek from the courts. However, there are other factors to consider. Those could include the circumstance surrounding the accident, such as if the victim were a young child, and what the long-term ramifications of the injury are to the victim’s quality of life. It’s hard to put a number on what kind of compensation you may be able to receive through the courts, but an attorney may be able to show you comparable cases to give you a broad range of possibilities.

What’s the First Step?

The first step in any personal injury lawsuit, including those regarding defective products, is to talk with an attorney about your options. In some cases, the manufacturer of the product may be willing to settle out of court to avoid a more public trial, which could tarnish their brand reputation. However, a settlement isn’t always in your best interests. Your attorney can walk you through your options and provide counsel on what they believe is the right path forward.

Take that first step by contacting Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. You can call (803) 888-2200 to schedule a free consultation where you will be able to talk with a member of our team about your situation and whether you may have a case. We can represent you and start the process if you decide to move forward.