One of the most basic consumer rights is the right to expect that products and equipment are safe to use. However, if a defective product finds its way into the market and falls into the hands of unsuspecting consumers, product liability issues come up.
Product Liability: Definition
Encyclopedia defines product liability as the responsibility of a manufacturer to compensate a consumer who has suffered injuries as a result of using a defective product they sold on the market.
Theories
A lot of product liability cases have to do with the following: negligence, misrepresentation and breach of warranty. Tort liability is also included.
- Negligence: This basically means that the manufacturer failed to take the proper care in the production of the product, resulting in a defect. With manufacturing costs high, unscrupulous manufacturers see a way to lower their costs by cutting more than a few corners. That means you get products that aren’t as great in quality as expected.
- Misrepresentation: When a company advertises the use of its product without giving consumers sufficient warning about the safety hazards that come with its use, that’s a case of misrepresentation. Some companies might also be downplaying the safety hazards in a way to entire more consumers to buy. So if you take a product home, only to come to harm after using it, and were given no sufficient sign or warning from the company or packaging, then you are entitled to product liability damages.
- Breach of warranty: This happens when a company or manufacturer fails to fulfill the terms and conditions of a duly signed warranty agreement. If you bought a product and bring it in for repairs under its warranty clause but the manufacturer refuses to do the repairs, this is possible ground for a product liability suit.
Legal Help
Don’t let the guilty party get off scot-free. If you or your loved ones are harmed in any way after the use of a defective product, hiring an experienced product liability lawyer in Cedar Rapids IA will provide you with the advantage you need in court. With legal expertise, training and skill, your lawyer is there to make the legal system work for you. From helping you file your claim and pinpoint flaws when you review settlement offers, to getting you the maximum compensation possible in your case, you can count on a product liability attorney to fight for your rights every step of the way.
