The products you use every day should not come with a risk of causing you significant harm or injury. Unfortunately, lax production protocols and inadequate safety measures by product manufacturers can lead to consumer items and goods with dangerous defects. These defects can lead to serious accidents, injuries and even deaths.
If you have been injured by a product, the Minneapolis personal injury lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC can help you get the justice and financial compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Minneapolis Product Liability Lawyer?
- We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, including a recent $10 million settlement for a defective medical device. We know how to handle all types of product claims against large and powerful defendants.
- Our product liability lawyers have more than 40 years of experience in this practice area in Minnesota and nationwide. We understand how these cases work in Minneapolis and are prepared to fight for your rights every step of the way.
- You won’t pay your Minneapolis product liability lawyer unless your case results in financial compensation for your losses. Our team is committed to providing exceptional customer service, including operating on a contingency fee basis to provide greater peace of mind.
How an Experienced Product Liability Attorney Can Help
Collecting fair financial compensation for injuries or harm suffered because of a defective product is not easy. Most manufacturers have strong legal teams that work to protect the company’s reputation and avoid liability – even when they know the products they create are defective and dangerous.
You can protect your rights and prevent a company from taking advantage of you by hiring an attorney for legal representation. An experienced Minneapolis product liability attorney can investigate your accident, preserve and collect evidence to support your case, interview witnesses, hire experts, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If necessary, a lawyer can represent you at trial. Meanwhile, you can concentrate on healing from your product-related injuries.
What Is a Product Liability Claim?
A product liability claim is a cause of action (civil lawsuit) that can be brought by a customer or consumer to seek financial compensation for losses incurred because of a defective or dangerous product. A defective product is an item that is unsafe even when used as intended due to a defect.
There are three types of product defects:
- Design flaw: a safety problem inherent to the design of a product that creates an item that is unreasonably dangerous for consumer use, even when used correctly.
- Manufacturing defect: when something goes wrong during the manufacture or creation of a product, resulting in a defect that prevents the item from functioning or performing as it was meant to.
- Marketing mistake: an issue in how the product was advertised or marketed; typically, the failure of a manufacturing company to warn consumers of known or foreseeable risks associated with the use of a product.
Product defects create a legal foundation by which consumers can hold manufacturers accountable. If you, your child or someone else you love was injured by a product that malfunctioned, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a legal claim in Minneapolis.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dangerous Defective Product in Minneapolis?
Any party that played a role in the creation or distribution of a defective product that goes on to hurt someone could be held legally and financially responsible (liable) for the victim’s losses. This can include a manufacturing company, distribution center, retailer, wholesaler or someone else within the supply chain.
What Must Be Proven in a Product Liability Claim?
Most product liability claims are brought on the grounds of strict liability. This law is in place to protect consumers from defective products. It allows an injured consumer to receive financial compensation for harm caused by a defective product without having to prove negligence, or that the manufacturing company failed to act with proper care.
If it can be shown using evidence that a product contained a defect and caused the victim’s injuries, this is typically enough to require the manufacturer to pay for the consumer’s losses or damages. If the strict liability doctrine does not apply, the case may be brought on the grounds of negligence or breach of warranty instead.
Most Common Types of Defective Products and Injuries
Virtually any consumer good could contain a defect that threatens the health or safety of the purchaser. Common items at the center of Minneapolis product liability claims include:
- Household items
- Furniture
- Automotive parts
- ATVs and bicycles
- Children’s products
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceutical medications
- Power tools
- Heavy machinery and equipment
- Electronics
- E-cigarettes
You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list for recent products that have been recalled due to safety concerns or reported incidents.
Compensation Available to Victims of Defective Products
A product liability claim can make a victim whole again by providing financial compensation for damages suffered because of the defective item. Available types of compensation may include:
- Present and future foreseeable medical costs
- Disability or disfigurement
- Property damage repairs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In the event that a defective product causes the death of an individual, surviving family members may also be entitled to wrongful death damages, such as funeral and burial costs. Our experienced team of Minneapolis wrongful death lawyers can guide you through the legal process.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured By a Defective Product in Minneapolis
If you suffer injuries from the use of a product that you suspect is defective, keep the product and all of its packaging. Take photographs of your injuries and any property damage. Get medical care for your injuries right away and keep copies of your medical records.
Report the defective product to the manufacturing company and a safety organization, such as the CPSC. When you’re ready to explore your legal rights and get help with the claims process, contact a product liability attorney in Minneapolis for advocacy you can trust.
Contact Our Minneapolis Product Liability Attorneys Today
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC has a long history of obtaining life-changing results for clients with life-changing injuries. We are highly experienced and accomplished product liability lawyers who know how to fight for the rights of our clients in and out of the courtroom.
If you were recently injured by a defective product, there is no time to waste. Call us at (612) 333-4662 or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with one of our Minneapolis product liability attorneys.
We truly care about our clients. We will listen to your defective product story and give you honest and accurate advice about your situation. If we choose to represent you, we will stand by your side through every step of the claims process.