Bucks County Product Liability Attorney
Compassionate Pursuit of Full Compensation for Injured Victims
As a consumer, you have the right to expect that a product you buy is safe to be used as advertised. When the product you purchase turns out to be defective, and you sustain a serious injury as a result, you deserve to be compensated for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. The Bucks County product liability attorneys at Kardos, Rickles & Hand are ready to help. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys know how to construct a compelling case for relief. We are committed to providing professional and highly personalized legal services to our clients in Doylestown, Newtown and the surrounding areas.
What Is a Defective Product for Purposes of a Liability Lawsuit?
A consumer product is defective if it is unsafe when used as intended or in a manner that the producer should have reasonably anticipated. The law of products liability places defects in these main categories:
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Design defect — A product is defective in design if it lacks necessary safety features. For example, a paper shredder that has a slot wide enough for a user to insert a finger is defective in design.
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Manufacturing defect — If the design is safe, a defect can creep into the product if the manufacturer uses shoddy practices or substandard equipment. Products can also become dangerous when a manufacturer uses toxic or flammable materials.
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Defective labeling — Some products cannot be made completely safe and must carry explicit and obvious warning labels. Failure to warn of risks is a potential defect in various products, such as medications and power tools.
One important point about the defect is that it must exist at the point of design, manufacture or packaging. In other words, the consumer cannot alter the product so it becomes defective and then blame a producer for injuries.
How Does a Consumer Prove a Products Liability Case?
In most cases of personal injury, a plaintiff must prove that a defendant acted carelessly, recklessly or deliberately to cause harm. In a products liability case, the victim does not have to prove a mental state. Under the theory of strict liability, the producer of a consumer product is liable for defects even if the producer exercised reasonable care in creating the product. The injured consumer must prove:
- The producer made the product.
- The product had a defect.
- The plaintiff suffered harm while using the product.
- The defect caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
A defect may be obvious to you in retrospect, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to prove in court. Fortunately, the injury attorneys at KRH have the knowledge and experience necessary to assemble the evidence and present a compelling case.
Contact Our Experienced Products Liability Attorneys in Bucks County, PA
If you or a loved one sustained an injury from a consumer product, trust the attorneys at Kardos, Rickles & Hand to deliver quality legal representation. With offices in Newton, PA our compassionate team is highly responsive to your needs during a difficult time and works diligently to obtain the maximum possible compensation. Call us today or contact us online.
