If you have been injured by a defective product, you may be entitled to financial compensation. products liability law is designed to hold manufacturers and retailers responsible for injuries caused by their products. In a products liability claim, the plaintiff may be entitled to recover damages for personal injury or property damage caused by the defective product. The type and amount of damages that may be recovered will depend on the specific facts of the case.
What are’ Damages?’
Damages are monetary relief awarded by a court to a party who has suffered harm due to the wrongful conduct of another. There are two types of damages:
- Compensatory Damages
- Punitive Damages.
Compensatory damages compensate the injured party for their actual loss, while punitive damages are awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.
Compensatory Damages
In a products liability claim, the plaintiff may allege one or more different types of compensatory damages. The two main types of compensatory damages alleged are economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the monetary losses incurred by the plaintiff due to the defect. This can include lost wages and medical expenses as the result of injuries from the defective product and the cost of repairing or replacing the defective product.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are often awarded in personal injury cases to compensate an injured plaintiff for the intangible losses they have suffered due to their injury. These can include losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and (in cases of wrongful death) loss of companionship. Non-economic damages are designed to recognize the fact that these types of injuries can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s life, even if they do not result in financial losses.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are intended to punish the manufacturer or seller of a defective product for particularly reckless or dangerous behavior. In order to recover punitive damages, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant acted with wanton disregard for the safety of consumers.
In some cases, this may be proven by showing that the defendant was aware of the defect but failed to take steps to remedy it. In other cases, it may be necessary to show that the defendant purposefully concealed the defect from consumers. Punitive damages can be significant, and they can provide strong incentive for manufacturers and sellers to put safety first.
Your Minneapolis products liability Attorneys
If you have been injured by a defective or dangerous product, you may be entitled to compensation under the law. products liability claims can be complex and time-consuming, but an experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process and maximize your chances of success. At Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC, our attorneys have extensive experience handling products liability claims, and we have a proven track record of success.
If you are seeking compensation following a defective product injury, call us today at (800) 504-0281 or fill out our form online for a free initial consultation.