Every year, defective products cause fires, severe burns, head injuries, fractures, toxic exposures, and countless other preventable harms. From faulty household appliances to unsafe children’s toys, consumers trust manufacturers to design and produce items that meet basic safety standards. When companies cut corners or fail to adequately test their products, the consequences can be devastating. Product liability law exists to hold these corporations accountable and ensure victims receive compensation for their injuries.
What Is Product Liability?
Product liability is a legal framework that makes manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible when their products cause harm. Unlike other personal injury claims, defective product cases often rely on strict liability—meaning a company may be held responsible even if it did not act negligently. The goal is to protect consumers from dangers hidden in everyday products.
In these cases, victims may pursue claims under three major theories:
- Design Defect – the product is inherently dangerous due to its design, even when manufactured correctly.
- Manufacturing Defect – something went wrong during construction or assembly, causing the product to deviate from its intended design.
- Failure to Warn – the company failed to provide adequate instructions, warnings, or safety labels, leaving consumers vulnerable to harm.
How Defective Products Cause Serious Injuries
A defective product can injure a person in an instant—or over time through repeated exposure. Some of the most common examples include:
- Electronics that overheat and catch fire
- Children’s toys coated with toxic chemicals
- Auto parts that fail at high speeds
- Power tools with inadequate safety guards
- Household appliances with wiring defects
- Medical devices prone to breaking or leaking
These failures often result in burns, electrocution, fractures, organ damage, or long-term neurological problems. In many cases, victims never suspect the product itself is defective until others report similar failures or recalls begin.
Why These Cases Are Complex
Product liability claims require extensive resources, expert testimony, and technical investigation. Manufacturers often have large legal teams whose primary goal is to deny responsibility or blame the user for “misuse.” That is why these cases typically involve:
- Engineering analysis
- Product testing
- Safety and recall histories
- Internal corporate communications
- Expert testimony on industry standards
Without experienced legal representation, victims may struggle to prove that a product was defective and caused their injuries.
Damages Victims May Recover
When a defective product causes harm, victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills and future treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Punitive damages (in cases of extreme corporate misconduct)
These damages help restore financial stability and provide justice for individuals harmed by unsafe products.
How ELL Helps Victims of Defective Products
For more than 40 years, Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack has represented consumers in complex product liability cases against some of the largest corporations in the world. Our firm has the financial strength, investigative resources, and multidisciplinary team required to litigate these cases successfully.
We work with product engineers, fire investigators, materials scientists, and medical experts to build strong cases that expose dangerous designs and manufacturing errors. Our track record includes mass torts, class actions, and high-value individual claims, recovering billions on behalf of injured victims and consumer groups.
Best of all, we handle product liability cases on a contingency basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
What To Do If You Suspect a Defective Product Caused Your Injury
Act quickly to protect your claim:
- Preserve the product in its damaged condition—do not repair or dispose of it.
- Document your injuries, medical treatment, and how the incident occurred.
- Keep all packaging, receipts, and manuals for the product.
- Avoid discussions with the manufacturer until you speak with an attorney.
These steps help ensure crucial evidence is not lost or destroyed.
Get In Touch
If a defective product has injured you or someone you love, you are not alone—and you may be entitled to significant compensation. Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack has the experience and resources to stand up to manufacturers and protect your rights.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let our team fight for the justice you deserve.
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