Product Liability
When defective products cause injury, manufacturers must be held accountable. We take on corporations to protect consumers.
Free Case ReviewEvery day, we trust that the products we use — our vehicles, medications, appliances, tools, and safety equipment — are safe. When a product is defective and causes injury, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer can be held legally responsible. At Maples, Connick & Brendel, we represent individuals and families harmed by dangerous and defective products.
Types of Product Defects
Product liability claims generally fall into three categories.
Design defects exist when a product is inherently dangerous due to its design, even when manufactured correctly. The flaw is in the concept itself, making every unit of that product potentially hazardous.
Manufacturing defects occur during the production process, resulting in a specific batch or unit that deviates from the intended design and becomes dangerous. The design may be sound, but something went wrong in manufacturing.
Marketing defects involve inadequate warnings, insufficient instructions, or misleading representations about a product’s risks and proper use. A product that is safe when used correctly can become dangerous without proper labeling and instructions.
Products That Commonly Cause Injuries
We handle product liability cases involving defective vehicles and auto parts including tires, brakes, airbags, and seat belts. Defective medical devices and implants. Dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. Defective power tools, industrial equipment, and machinery. Faulty consumer electronics and appliances. Unsafe children’s products and toys. Defective safety equipment including helmets and harnesses.
Holding Manufacturers Accountable
Product liability cases often pit individual consumers against large corporations with substantial legal resources. These companies will aggressively defend their products and attempt to shift blame to the injured person. We have the experience and resources to take on corporate defendants and their defense teams.
Our approach includes retaining engineering and product safety experts to analyze the defect, investigating the product’s design, testing, and manufacturing history, identifying prior complaints and recalls related to the product, and working with medical experts to establish the connection between the defect and your injuries.
Strict Liability
In many product liability cases, you do not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent — only that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. Product liability statutes vary across the Southeastern United States, and we understand the nuances of each state’s law.
If you have been injured by a defective product, contact us for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having the product strengthens your case, but it is not always required. Photographs, medical records, purchase receipts, and other documentation can support your claim. If you still have the product, preserve it exactly as it was at the time of the injury.
Yes. Product liability protections extend to anyone who is injured by a defective product, not just the original purchaser. This includes family members, bystanders, and anyone who reasonably used or was affected by the product.
A recall can actually strengthen your case by demonstrating that the manufacturer or a regulatory agency identified the defect. However, you may also have a claim for injuries caused by a product that has not yet been recalled.