How can a product liability attorney in Stone Mountain help you?

When you buy something — whether it’s a car, a new pair of shoes, or a candy bar — you don’t expect that item will harm you. Product manufacturers have quality control processes to ensure defective or dangerous products don’t make it out into the world, but sometimes, these processes fail.

What kinds of defective products cause serious injuries?

Almost any product has the potential to be dangerous if it’s contaminated or improperly made. However, certain kinds of products are more likely to be involved in product liability claims than others:

  • Cars: If a car has a major defect (like a brake issue or a tendency to catch on fire), it has the potential to hurt or kill you
  • Drugs: If a medication has harmful or fatal side effects, the manufacturer may be responsible 
  • Appliances and Other Machinery: Defective appliances can catch on fire or otherwise cause you serious harm
  • Toys: Some toys (like those with small parts) can be harmful or fatal to young children
  • Medical Devices: These devices are meant to treat medical conditions, but if they’re defective, they might worsen those conditions
  • Cosmetics: Certain ingredients can cause serious allergic reactions and other problems

Defective products aren’t always harmful. But sometimes, a product defect causes serious injuries or even death. If that happens, a product liability lawyer in Stone Mountain may be able to help you recover compensation. 

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What needs to be proven in a product liability claim?

It’s important to note that just being injured by a product isn’t enough to create a product liability claim. There needs to be evidence of negligence on the manufacturer’s part, and you must have a certain level of actual damages that can be collected. For example, if your phone battery caught on fire and you suffered a small burn on your hand, the medical costs would probably be too low to pursue a case.

On the other hand, if the battery exploded and injured you badly enough that you needed major surgery, most product liability attorneys would probably take your case. Money can’t heal your injuries or bring back a loved one, but it can help cover medical bills, funeral costs, and even living expenses in the wake of the injury.

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How does a product liability claim work?

If you’ve been injured by a defective product, you likely know you should contact a product liability attorney. But most people don’t know what to expect next. Your first step should be scheduling a consultation with an attorney. You shouldn’t need to worry about cost — these initial consultations are almost always free. The point of the consultation is to let the lawyer look at your case and tell you whether you have a chance at winning in court. Make sure you bring all the documentation you can so your attorney can best assess the case. If the attorney takes on your case, they will guide you through the legal process. You don’t pay anything up front — your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. 

Settlements vs. trial

Not all product liability cases make it to the courtroom. Many of them are settled out of court. This means that the manufacturer of the faulty product pays you a certain amount of money negotiated by your lawyer. Trials can be long and expensive, so it’s usually in both of your best interests to settle. If your lawyer and the manufacturer’s legal counsel can’t agree on an amount, your case goes to a civil trial. This trial isn’t the same as a criminal trial. Instead of determining whether the manufacturer committed a crime, it determines whether they should be held civilly liable for your injuries. If they are, the court will determine how much money to award you. Some product liability cases result in much larger payouts than others. It’s impossible to say what a claim might be worth without looking at the particulars. A product liability lawyer in Stone Mountain will be able to give you a general idea of what your claim might be worth.

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Do you need a product liability attorney in Stone Mountain?

If you’ve been harmed by a faulty or dangerous product, you know that the physical, emotional, and financial fallout can be immense. Many product-related injuries come about because companies prioritize profits over safety, and companies that behave this way need to be held accountable. At Pendergrass Law, we’re committed to getting justice for injured consumers like you. If you’ve suffered significant harm because of a specific product, we might be able to help. Contact us online or schedule a visit at our Stone Mountain office at 1298 Rockbridge Road SW, Suite C to set up a free consultation today.

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