Product Liability Attorney in Washington DC

Have you suffered injuries because of a dangerous or defective product in Washington, D.C.? You might feel frustrated and unsure about what to do next. You should know that you have the right to seek justice and compensation through a product liability claim.

At Marks & Harrison, we have the knowledge and dedication necessary to handle your case and demand the financial recovery you deserve. Don’t wait to start the process. Contact our Washington DC product liability lawyer today for a free initial consultation, and let us help you move forward with your life.

What Are Common Defects a Faulty Product Can Have?

When you buy a product, you expect it to work safely and effectively. However, some products come with defects that can create serious risks for consumers.

Common defect issues typically fall into three categories:

• Manufacturing Defects: A manufacturing defect arises during a product’s creation. Even if the product’s design is safe, errors in the manufacturing process can make the final product dangerous. For example, a bicycle with substandard materials or a poorly welded frame can break unexpectedly and lead to an accident.
• Design Defects: Sometimes, the problem lies in the design of the product itself. In cases involving a defective design, the entire line of products has inherent issues that can lead to harm. A typical example is a top-heavy furniture item with inadequate anchoring that makes it likely to flip over.
• Failure to Warn: Products must provide adequate warnings and clear instructions to ensure consumers know how to use them safely. If these warnings are missing or inadequate, users might not know about potential risks. For example, if a medication lacks proper dosage instructions, harmful side effects could result if someone takes an incorrect dose.

What Types of Defective Products Could Be Part of a Product Liability Claim?

When products fail to meet safety standards or have inherent defects, they can cause severe injuries. Contact our Washington DC product liability lawyer today for assistance.

Here are some common examples of defective products that could give rise to a defective or dangerous product claim:

• Automotive Products: Automotive defects can include issues like faulty airbags that deploy unexpectedly or do not deploy in a crash, brake systems that fail to engage, or steering components that lock up during driving.
• Consumer Electronics: Faulty electronic devices might have batteries that overheat, causing burns or fires. Defective household appliances, such as microwaves or refrigerators, could also malfunction due to faulty electronic controls, leading to fires or electric shocks.
• Medical Devices: Defects in medical devices such as heart valves, stents, or orthopedic implants can lead to critical failures that severely affect a patient’s health. For instance, a defective implant might degrade prematurely, necessitating painful and costly corrective surgery.
• Pharmaceuticals: Dangerous pharmaceutical products might contain toxic impurities, incorrect ingredient concentrations, or inaccurate labels. These defects can contribute to serious health issues, such as organ damage, allergic reactions, or other severe side effects.
• Power Tools: Defective power tools might have manufacturing defects that result in unsafe mechanisms, such as guards that do not cover moving parts properly or switches that do not function correctly. These issues can cause severe injuries like lacerations or punctures.
• Foods and Beverages: If food or beverage makers fail to preserve their goods properly, spoilage and contamination from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli can result. These issues can lead to debilitating health problems, including food poisoning, which could require hospitalization.
• Exercise Gear: Faulty exercise gear like resistance bands that snap unexpectedly or weight machines with faulty cables can malfunction and harm users. Additionally, poorly constructed equipment might collapse under use, leading to falls or crush injuries.
• Bicycles: Defective bicycles with frames that crack under normal use or gears that jam unexpectedly can cause riders to lose control and crash, potentially resulting in road rash, fractures, or more severe injuries.
• Machinery: Industrial machinery with design flaws or inadequate safety features, like faulty emergency stop mechanisms or missing protective guards, can lead to catastrophic injuries like crushed limbs, severe lacerations, or even fatalities.

What Are the Different Types of Product Liability Claims I Could File in Washington DC?

Understanding the different types of product liability claims can guide you on how to proceed if you suffer harm from a defective product.

Here are the various product liability claims you might file:

• Negligent Design or Manufacturing: This type of claim arises when flaws exist in a product’s design or manufacturing process. You must show that the product is defective because the manufacturer failed to exercise due care in creating or producing the product to prove a negligent design or manufacturing claim.
• Breach of Warranty: Warranties guarantee that a product will meet certain quality and reliability standards. If a product fails to meet these standards and harms you, you could file a breach of warranty claim to hold the maker or seller responsible for not meeting the warranty’s terms.
• Strict Liability: Under strict product liability principles, the manufacturer or seller is liable for any injuries resulting from a defective product, whether or not they were negligent. In this type of claim, the focus is on the defect itself and whether it existed when the product left the manufacturer.
• Consumer Fraud: This type of claim involves harmful products that manufacturers market with intentionally misleading or false information. If you get hurt due to this kind of misinformation, you could file a consumer fraud claim against the fraudulent company for misleading you.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Product Liability Claim?

If you suffer harm from a defective product, you might experience considerable financial hardship in addition to painful injuries.

Fortunately, you can file a product liability claim to seek compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses related to your injuries
• Lost income and earning potential if your injuries affect your ability to work
• Incidental and out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the injury
• Subjective losses like pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life

How Long Do I Have to File a Product Liability Lawsuit in Washington DC?

In Washington, D.C., you have three years from the injury date to file a product liability lawsuit. Waiting too long to start legal action could result in losing your chance to claim compensation through the court system. This strict deadline means it’s essential to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. They can manage your case efficiently, identify and meet all the necessary deadlines, and increase your chances of success when navigating product liability law.

Contact a Washington DC Product Liability Lawyer

Ready to take action on your Washington DC product liability claim? Contact Marks & Harrison today. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explore your options.