Hurt By a Defective Product? Here Is What You Need to Know

 Posted on March 09, 2022 in Personal Injury

The average person uses consumer goods on an everyday basis. From appliances and tools to children’s’ toys and motor vehicles, consumer products are a vital part of modern living. Consumers expect that the products they use are safe and will operate correctly. However, not every product meets these expectations. Defective products can represent serious and potentially fatal hazards. If you or a loved one were injured by a defective product, you may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party and recover financial compensation.

Liability for Dangerous Products in Illinois

The companies that design, create, and distribute products are legally responsible for ensuring that the products are not unreasonably hazardous. If a company fails to meet this expectation and a customer is harmed as a result, the injured person may be entitled to monetary damages.

The at-fault party for a dangerous product injury may be:

• The party that designed the product
• The party that manufactured or assembled the product
• The party that designed, manufactured, or assembled component parts of the product
• The party that assembled the product
• The party that sold or distributed the product

Dangerous products may be flawed because the initial design was flawed. For example, a product made with flammable materials, sharp edges, or choking hazards may be dangerous even if it is properly manufactured. Alternatively, mistakes during the manufacturing process may have led to a defective product. Insufficient warning labels or instructions for use may also lead to product liability claims.

You Could Be Entitled to Financial Compensation

Defective product injuries can lead to medical bills, lost wages from missed work during recovery, and other damages. Individuals who are hurt by dangerous products may be entitled to compensation for these damages.

You could be compensated for:

• Past medical bills and ongoing medical expenses such as physical therapy
• Lost wages from the time you had to take off work
• Lost earning capacity caused by disabling injuries
• Pain and suffering

Statute of Limitations for Product Injury Claims

If you are considering taking legal action and seeking financial compensation because you or a loved one were hurt by a dangerous product, you should know that there are time constraints for product liability claims. In Illinois, the statute of limitations is two years for personal injuries and five years for property damage claims.

Contact a Bensenville Product Liability Attorney

The Elmhurst personal injury lawyers at Kaiser Law can help you explore your legal options and seek compensation after a defective product injury. Call 630-274-4400 for a free consultation to learn more.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073500050HArt%2E+XIII&ActID=2017&ChapAct=735%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B5%2F&ChapterID=56&ChapterName=CIVIL+PROCEDURE&SectionID=30813&SeqStart=97500000&SeqEnd=103300000&ActName=Code+of+Civil+Procedure%2E