You may be surprised by just how many products get recalled in the United States every year. And sometimes, products do not get recalled when they should be. This may ultimately lead to serious injuries and damages among its consumers. Read on to discover what injuries are commonly associated with a defective product and how a seasoned Washington, D.C. product liability lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP can help you attain justice.
What injuries are commonly associated with a defective product?
The injuries that are commonly associated with a defective product accident may range from minor to life-altering. Examples are as follows:
- Choking: for example, small or faulty pieces that easily break off of a children’s toy.
- Severe burns: for example, faulty wiring in a toaster that causes it to erupt into flames.
- Broken bones: for example, poorly constructed components of a chair that causes it to collapse when it is sat on.
- Head or neck injuries: for example, a defective airbag or seatbelt in a car that is involved in a crash.
- Organ damage: for example, over-the-counter medications that do not disclose the long-term side effects on their label or packaging.
Can I claim strict liability after being injured by a defective product?
Of note, you may be allowed to claim strict liability in Washington, D.C. For this, you may hold a product manufacturer or seller liable for your injuries regardless of whether or not they were negligent. But this claim is almost exclusively applicable to products that are unreasonably dangerous or defective in the first place. What’s more, you may only be eligible to claim strict liability if you were using the product for its intended purpose.
Overall for your claim, you will have to prove that a product manufacturer or seller owed you a duty of care. Then you may argue that this party or parties should not have let the defective product fall into the hands of consumers. Ultimately, you may have to conclude that the product’s defects directly led to your injuries and overall accident.
What is the statute of limitations for a product liability claim?
For personal injury claims, like product liability claims, in Washington, D.C., the statute of limitations is generally three years. In other words, this means that you may only have three years from the date on which you were injured by a defective product to file a lawsuit against a negligent manufacturer or seller. Missing this deadline ultimately means missing your opportunity to redeem financial compensation and have justice served.
You must make a valiant effort toward filing your product liability claim on time. Reach out to a competent Washington, D.C. injury lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP to learn how to get started on your case.