Were you or a loved one injured by a faulty or defective product? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more in a product liability lawsuit.
Get started by scheduling a free consultation with a skilled West Palm Beach product liability attorney. Call (561) 655-1990 or send us a message to get in touch with our West Palm Beach personal injury team.
What steps should you take if a dangerous or defective product injures you?
The following steps will help keep you safe and may increase your chances of obtaining full and fair compensation.
1. Hold on to the product
Your first instinct might be to get rid of the product that hurt you, but you should actually do the opposite. Keep everything associated with the product. This includes any warnings, instructions, and packaging. Also, get pictures of the product from as many angles as possible.
2. Visit the doctor
Getting medical help right away is critical to your health because it could treat life-threatening injuries and prevent other injuries from worsening. It will also show that you have medical expenses related to the incident, which can help you obtain compensation.
3. Make note of the incident and keep a journal of your injuries in the days and weeks after the incident
The more evidence you have of the suffering you’ve experienced, the more money you’ll be likely to receive. Keeping detailed notes of everything you’re going through can help prove the suffering you’ve endured.
4. Speak with a West Palm Beach product liability attorney
All of the product liability lawyers with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath have a deep understanding of the law, and we’ll make sure your rights are protected at every turn.
Our firm has years of experience representing clients in cases similar to yours. We know the ins and outs of personal injury law and the potential challenges of product liability cases, and we know how to defeat large insurance companies. Rest assured that we won’t stop until we help you obtain every dollar you deserve.
Types of product liability cases
At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we accept a wide range of product liability cases. We can help you with your case, no matter how complex it may be.
If a defective product has affected you or a loved one, causing you excessive harm, serious injury, or, in the worst cases, death, you are entitled to file a legal claim to recover damages and win justice for your losses.
A West Palm Beach product liability attorney can help you decide which damages you can claim, help you build a strong case, gather evidence, and more. The following is some brief information on the kinds of product liability cases we handle.
1. Manufacturing defects
Even a seemingly small mistake made in the manufacturing of a product can make that product defective. We’ve seen instances where the entire manufacturing line had issues and others where just one product coming off a line was faulty. Either way, when a manufacturer allows a defective product to get into the hands of the public, they can face significant liability.
2. Design defects
If a product is designed in a manner that makes it unsafe for use, even for its intended use, anyone suffering harm could sue the company responsible. For example, if a chest of drawers is designed in a way that makes it unstable and topples over, a person could file a lawsuit if they were hurt.
3. Marketing defects (Failure to warn)
Many product manufacturers hire outside marketing companies. If the labeling fails to warn users of the potential dangers the product poses, both the manufacturer and marketing company could be held liable.
4. Breach of warranty
A person could sue for breach of warranty if a product they buy doesn’t work as it was guaranteed to operate.
Make sure you file a claim before the deadline.
Florida’s statute of limitations sets a time limit for filing a legal claim. Outside of the designated time limit, you won’t be able to collect compensation through legal action.
All personal injury actions based on negligence need to be filed within two years from the date of the accident.
For cases in which a loved one has died, and a wrongful death claim must be brought forth, the victim’s family also must file within two years of the date of the incident.
What are possible damages you could claim?
Economic damages
These are damages that can be substantiated through paperwork. Examples include medical expenses and lost wages, as well as property damage. Your Palm Beach product liability attorney can produce receipts, pay stubs, and other documents to prove your economic damages.
Non-economic damages
Unlike tangible economic damages, non-economic damages are subjective. They include issues that don’t easily lend themselves to a dollar value, such as lost quality of life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Our attorneys work hard to get you the maximum compensation
When you choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we promise you’ll receive aggressive representation. Our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers can thoroughly investigate what happened and work to get you the maximum amount of compensation you’re eligible for.
What are common product liability injuries?
Seemingly harmless products can lead to horrible injuries. For instance, consumers can suffer severe burns from appliances or cuts from defective power tools. People have also suffered broken bones from defective sports or exercise equipment. The most serious injuries tied to dangerous products include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and amputation.
Who may be liable for your injury
A product liability case can be complex due to the potential for multi-party liability. These are just a few of the parties that may have contributed to your injury.
Product manufacturer
When manufacturers fail to uphold their duty to ensure that their products are safe, they could be targeted with legal action.
Parts manufacturer
There are times when one company will manufacture a product made with parts supplied by other companies. If a part is found to be defective, the company that made the part could be liable. The manufacturer of a defective braking system, for example, could be liable for injuries resulting from an accident caused by that defect.
Wholesaler
Wholesalers act as go-betweens. A manufacturer will sell a product to a wholesaler, which will then sell it to retailers. If a wholesaler knows of a defect and sells the product to the retailer anyway, they could be liable for injuries resulting from the use of the product.
Retail store
Retailers are the “last line of defense” of sorts for the general public. If they sell a product they know is defective – or should have known – the retailer could also face liability.
Product installer
Plumbers, mechanics, and electricians will sometimes be liable for injuries if they dangerously alter a product. They can also face legal action if they improperly install a product, and that mistake leads to an injury.
Cost of hiring a product liability lawyer
It won’t cost you anything to hire a West Palm Beach product liability attorney with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. We won’t receive a dime unless you obtain the compensation you deserve.
How we can help
Product liability accidents can be traumatizing and extremely difficult, leaving victims and their family members in a world of pain and confusion.
Whether you’re unsure of your next steps or you’re ready to take legal action today, one of our top West Palm Beach product liability lawyers would love to help you plan your best path forward, build the strongest case possible, and answer any questions you may have about the legal process along the way.
It is our goal to win justice on your behalf and hold the responsible parties liable for the damages they’ve caused. Don’t wait to take legal action – we can help you confidently move forward in recovering the compensation you are entitled to by law.
Our West Palm Beach product liability attorneys are here to help
We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you have. No matter where you’re at in the process or how recently the accident happened, we can help.
Call (561) 655-1990 or send us a message now to schedule a free consultation with a top product liability lawyer now. You don’t pay until we win.
