Reporting an Unsafe or Defective Product
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or which can injure children. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products—such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals—contributed significantly to the 30% decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270.
What is a Product Liability Lawsuit?
When a person suffers an injury caused by a defective product, the injured individual can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer and/or seller who made the product available to consumers. There are three main ways a product may be defective: defective design, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn of dangers associated with using the product.
As we have mentioned before, if a defect is caused by a manufacturing error, the case can generally be brought on a theory of strict liability, which means the injured party (i.e., the plaintiff) does not need to prove that the manufacturer (i.e., the defendant) was negligent. Therefore, the plaintiff only needs to show that the product is defective.
The following are the steps on how to prove a product liability claim:
- The product injured the plaintiff, or the plaintiff suffered losses
- The product was defective
- The product’s defect caused the injury
- The plaintiff used the product as it was intended
In other cases, the plaintiff may also need to establish the defendant’s level of negligence. For example, if a third party modified the product prior to being available for consumers, then the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed a duty of care, the defendant breached that duty, the breach caused the plaintiff’s injury, and the plaintiff suffered damages.
Our experienced product liability attorneys in Texas can thoroughly evaluate your case, determine all your available legal options, and help you maximize your entitled compensation.
Common Injuries Resulting from Defective Products
When cars and trucks, pharmaceutical drugs, work equipment, or ordinary household items are defective, innocent consumers can suffer serious, debilitating injuries. In some cases, these injuries may even be life-threatening.
At The Ammons Law Firm, we have helped victims of defective products who were suffering from:
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
We understand the immense challenges catastrophically injured individuals and their loved ones face—and our Houston product liability lawyers are committed to fighting tirelessly for the justice and fair recoveries they are owed.
Put a powerful team on your side; call The Ammons Law Firm at (281) 801-5617 for a free consultation.