If you think there will never come a time when you need the services of a product liability attorney in New Jersey, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise! A regular day out in the city affords many potential dangers that fall under the heading of product liability. Anything that you buy or which is offered for sale in a retail store has the potential to be faulty and cause injury or illness to you. The three ways that a product may be defective includes:
- Defective Design
- Manufacturing Process
- Improper Labelling or Instructions
Depending on the nature of the product, the resulting injury or illness may be minor, severe, or critical. A wrongful death attorney in New Jersey can help you determine whether you have a valid claim and what compensation you may be entitled to. Attorney G. Martin Meyers explains that injuries resulting from defective products can include pain and suffering, disabilities, and loss of income. If you incur high medical bills at the same time you lose income, the results can have an even more dramatic impact on your life.
Example of Defective Design
Flaws in the design of automobile features are one of the most common types of product defects we see. There are continuously new recalls due to an airbag that doesn’t deploy, starters catching fire, and numerous other vehicle features that don’t work as they were meant to. When the car owner encounters the problem before the vehicle is recalled and incurs a serious injury, the car maker becomes liable for the accident due to the defective design.
Example of Defective Manufacturing Process
There are many ways that a product can be made defective during the manufacturing process. Inappropriate materials may be used, required temperatures may not be reached during a specific part of the process, or steps may be skipped to save time and money. The manufacturer can also be held liable if the right manufacturing process was followed but the product wasn’t tested for effectiveness and safety afterwards.
One example of defective manufacturing is when one drug is made using the same equipment that is used to make another drug without proper sanitizing of the equipment in-between. A person who believes they are purchasing their favorite brand of aspirin may end up taking ingredients used in a sleeping pill. The end result could be a drug interaction between that and another medication they are taking or falling asleep behind the wheel.
Example of Improper Labelling or Instructions
From food to chemicals, all types of products have labels to alert buyers to the ingredients and the potential hazards they may cause. Failing to properly label any item can result in an accident that causes injury or illness. For example, if you are allergic to a specific food like peanuts, leaving this ingredient off a food label could be extremely dangerous.
Imagine purchasing a strong pesticide to get rid of pests in your garden. Lacking the appropriate instructions on how to mix the liquid before using, you assume it is to be applied full strength. You may end up inhaling strong chemicals that could lead to serious health problems.
There are potential hazards from all types of products in the restaurants where we eat, the stores where we shop, and in the environments where we work or play. If you are injured due to a product, contact the wrongful death attorney in New Jersey who can evaluate your case and get the help you need.