Consumers naturally expect that the products they purchase will operate safely and as advertised. Manufacturers are responsible for keeping their products safe for use and placing proper warnings to notify consumers of any potential dangers. However, when manufacturers fail to uphold these duties, serious injuries can result.
You and your loved ones have legal options if a defective product causes harm. The Marion product liability lawyers at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda have years of experience holding negligent manufacturers liable and could help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call our law office today to speak with a highly skilled personal injury attorney.
What to Know About Product Liability Cases
In a civil claim regarding faulty merchandise, a plaintiff seeks to hold a retailer, manufacturer, or designer liable for any injuries sustained from using a product as intended.
These cases can involve any item, from pharmaceuticals to kitchen appliances to children’s toys. There are three types of manufacturing defects: design, marketing, and manufacturing.
Design Defects
Design defects are where a product contains a safety issue that a feasible alternative design could have resolved.
Marketing Defects
Marketing errors happen when the manufacturer fails to include the right warnings or instructions for safe use within the product’s packaging or uses dishonest marketing.
Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing flaws are imperfections that occur during the item’s manufacturing process. These can involve issues with quality control, using the wrong materials, or other errors.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the flaw must be the primary and direct, or proximate, cause of your injury. A Marion attorney who handles product liability lawsuits could discern the correct defect to argue for fair compensation.
Financial Compensation Options for Defective Merchandise Lawsuits
The concept of “damages” refers to possible financial remedies for a plaintiff’s losses. Two primary types of damages exist.
Economic Damages
The first type is economic damages, which are tangible in that they have monetary amounts documenting the costs. Some typical examples include lost wages, present and future relevant medical bills, and reduced earning ability.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective and intangible losses. They include concepts like loss of function, disfigurement, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life.
Important Information About Winning Compensation
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence standard. This means that a plaintiff’s compensation will be affected by their own level of contribution to the incident. In other words, they will not be rewarded if they are more than 50% responsible.
In addition, the South Carolina statute of limitations, with some exceptions, is three years from the date of injury or when the plaintiff should have reasonably known they were injured. That means if a person does not file their claim within three years of the harm they suffered, they lose their chance to receive compensation.
Consult a Marion lawyer who could ensure all filing is on time and prove the at-fault party’s negligence in your product liability lawsuit.
Call a Product Liability Attorney in Marion Today
Product safety is a complex issue; these lawsuits can be complicated to prove on your own. The powerful companies behind popular goods often have vast resources to make your case a tedious and lengthy process.
Hiring a Marion product liability lawyer to take on your case could increase your chances of winning the financial compensation you deserve. Contact Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today for advice and assistance with your potential lawsuit.
