When manufacturers build products, they must ensure those products are designed and constructed safely. When it fails to do so, they’re liable for any harm consumers suffer while using the product, and those consumers are eligible to receive compensation for that harm. But just because you’re eligible for compensation doesn’t mean it’s easy to secure. You need the help of a Suburban Maryland personal injury attorney with a proven track record of winning product liability cases.
If you’ve been harmed by a defective product in Maryland, the best course of action is to seek advice from a qualified product liability attorney. The lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP have a history of success representing Maryland clients harmed by defective products.
Contact us today to take the first steps toward getting the money you need to recover from your injuries quickly and fully.
Product Liability Culprits in Suburban Maryland
Typically, when a product is defective, it means that there’s either a manufacturing defect or a design defect present.
It probably won’t matter to you which type of defect resulted in your injury, though it will affect how your attorney collects evidence for your case. Occasionally, however, a defective product isn’t the manufacturer’s fault. The product’s distributor or retailer are two other potential culprits in a product liability case.
Even if a product is completely safe and functional when it leaves the manufacturer, it can be damaged in a way that makes it dangerous during transportation. When that happens, the distributor is liable for any harm consumers suffer while using the product.
Similarly, if the retailer stores a product in a way that introduces a defect to the product, the retailer becomes liable in a product liability case. This is particularly common when a retailer stores products in a location that’s too hot or too cold.
A retailer can also be held liable if they know a product is defective and choose to sell it anyway. This liability is compounded if they don’t warn the customer about the defect at the time of purchase.
One of the duties of your product liability attorney is to determine how and why the product is defective and which party or parties are liable. Any party, be it the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, could be legally liable. It’s also possible for multiple parties to bear partial liability.
Always Follow Product Instructions
One of the most important facts that your lawyer must prove in your product liability case is that you were using the product as intended.
The easiest way to ensure that you’re using a product properly is to read and follow the instructions printed on a product’s packaging or user’s manual. Most products come with written instructions, though electronic versions are also often available.
Additionally, you can cover your bases by visiting the company’s website that makes the product and checking to see if any supplemental instructions or warnings are provided there.
How a Suburban Maryland Product Liability Lawyer Can Help You
You probably aren’t the first or only person to be harmed by a particular product.
Even minor flaws will likely affect others unless the product run is extremely small. Your attorney can conduct research to determine whether there were previous claims against the manufacturer for the product in question. Evidence of other instances can help your case significantly.
Product liability attorneys also know how to investigate product flaws or have industry contacts who can study products to determine how and why they’re flawed. As such, they’ll be able to gather compelling evidence and determine liability, two crucial steps you likely couldn’t take on your own.
Collecting Compensation
Product liability cases are similar to other personal injury cases in that it’s common for the liable company (or, more likely, its insurance company) to make a fast settlement offer upon being notified of an injury claim. This isn’t because the company cares about your well-being — it’s because they want to avoid bad press by buying your silence.
Refuse any offers you receive until you’ve had a chance to consult with an attorney. Even after you do, it’s generally wise to refuse the first offer, as it will likely be much less than you deserve. Instead, let your lawyer negotiate for a fair settlement, and don’t accept anything less than what you’re owed.
Contact an Experienced Suburban Maryland Product Liability Attorney at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis
Consumers deserve to be and feel safe when using products as intended. If you’ve been injured by a defective product in Maryland, you have the right to seek fair compensation. Get in touch with the product injury lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP immediately to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.