Lake City Defective Product Lawyer
Defective or dangerous products injure or kill innocent consumers every year. With consumers having greater access to new products made locally, as well as those manufactured internationally, it’s no surprise that the risk of exposure to dangerous products has increased. Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers have a legal duty to verify these products are constructed in a safe manner and are safe to use. In the event there is a problem, there needs to be proper warnings that this particular product may pose a potential danger when used by a certain age group or under specific circumstances.
The problem is, many of these companies know their products have problems, but they choose to place them on the market anyway or ignore reports of issues as they arise. In these situations, the only way to get them to pay attention and be held accountable is through a product liability lawsuit. If you or a loved one were injured as the result of a dangerous product, you need to speak with a Lake City defective product lawyer right away. At Douglas & Douglas, our product liability attorneys aren’t afraid to take on these big corporations to hold them accountable to injured consumers.
Who Can Be Held Accountable?
Depending on the facts of your case, you may have multiple parties you can seek compensation from. You don’t choose one defendant over the other, you need to file suit against any and all liable parties. Some of the more common defendants in a product liability lawsuit include:
- Product manufacturer: This can be anyone from a small single-employee business or a global company.
- Wholesaler or Distributor: The middlemen between manufacturers and retail outlets can also be held liable for the injured consumer’s damages.
- Retail Store: When a retailer carries a product for sale, it implies that the product is suitable for use and is safe. Even though they didn’t manufacture the product, they may still be held accountable for a portion of your damages.
Types of Defective Product Lawsuits
There are several main factors that are looked at in a defective product lawsuit. They can be categorized in one of three ways:
- Strict Liability:The injured party has to prove that there was a defect present and you sustained an injury as a result. There is no need to show negligence in strict liability cases.
- Negligence: You must show the manufacturer or designer showed carelessness in their product, which was the cause of your injuries.
- Breach of Warranty: There are two warranties a buyer typically relies on. One of these is the express warranty, which is where the manufacturer or retailer makes a representation. The other is an implied warranty, which is an implied promise by the manufacturer or other liable party that the product won’t cause harm if used in the manner it was intended.
Class Action Lawsuits
In many product liability cases, multiple parties have been injured due to a defective product. This is when a class action suit is likely more appropriate. In a class action suit, the injured parties team up to sue the companies together. They split legal costs and any compensation that may be awarded.
Retaining a Lake City Products Liability Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured as the result of a defective or dangerous product, contact the skilled team of attorneys at Douglas & Douglas at 386-752-5511 to schedule a consultation.
