Sports equipment, kitchen appliances, furniture – just about any type of product can have a dangerous defect. According to Statista, federal agencies in the United States issued 4,217 product recalls in 2015, most of which involved dangerous defects. If you were injured by a defective product, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
One of the first steps in the claims process is to identify all liable parties. To do this, your injury lawyer will have to investigate the cause of the defect. A product defect can happen during the design, manufacture, distribution, or sale of the product, and the cause of the defect will determine the liable parties.
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If you or a member of your family was injured by a defective product in Louisiana, contact Laborde Earles Law Firm. A Lafayette personal injury attorney will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. We will gather evidence, interview witnesses, calculate your damages, and help you fight for the maximum compensation. Call (337) 777-7777 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Read on to learn about three parties who may be liable for damages in a defective product case:
- Designer of the Product
If the design of a product is inherently dangerous, the designer may be liable for damages. For example, if the design of a children’s toy is obviously hazardous and a child sustains an injury as a result, the parents of the child may be able to file a claim against the designer of the toy. In such a case, you may also be able to include any design consultants in your claim.
- Manufacturer of the Product
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A mistake or oversight during the manufacture of a product can cause a dangerous defect. Sometimes it is possible to make a claim against the company that manufactured the parts of a product and the company that assembled it. You may also be able to include any quality-control engineers in your claim.
- Seller of the Product
Your injury lawyer will likely name every party who was involved in the distribution chain in your claim. These include the seller of the product – even if the seller was not directly responsible for the defect. Your attorney may also name any wholesalers or distributors in your claim.
What If the Liable Party Is a Corporation?
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In product liability cases, it is common for one or more defendants to be corporations. Typically, corporations are treated the same as people in product liability cases; however, there is an added layer of complexity when suing a corporation because it can change owners or structure due to acquisitions or mergers. If this happens, the successor company may be liable for damages.
If you or a loved one was hurt by a defective product in Louisiana, turn to Laborde Earles Law Firm for comprehensive legal guidance. Our award-winning attorneys have helped clients recover more than $200 million, and we will give your case the individual attention that it deserves. Call (337) 777-7777 today to arrange a free initial consultation with a personal injury attorney in Lafayette.
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