Defective Household Products May Cause Injuries – Talk to a Cook County Product Liability Lawyer
We all assume that the everyday items we buy are safe. But sometimes that trust is misplaced when a defective household product that we use every day causes injuries. Whether a defective appliance causes a fire or produces any other injury, irresponsible product manufacturers are liable for the tragedies their devices cause, and a Cook County product liability lawyer can hold them accountable.
Defective household products can result in serious injuries or even death. When this happens, a product liability claim is the result. Product liability occurs when a manufacturer, distributor or another party in the supply chain is responsible for compensating victims of a defective product.
Some of the most common types of defective household items include:
- Personal grooming items (hairdryers, curling irons, electric shavers, etc.)
- Large or small appliances, such as furnaces. water heaters, stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, blenders and handheld appliances
- Power tools, such as wood and metal saws, chain, table and band saws, lawn mowers, and drills
- Other common appliances found around the house
Additionally, sports and recreation equipment, children’s toys and some commercial appliances and machinery might also apply to defective product claims.
Even if the manufacturer voluntarily recalls defective household products — or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission does so — manufacturers are not protected from lawsuits brought by injured victims and their Cook County product liability lawyers.
It is the responsibility of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to protect and warn the user of their product against injuries. Defective household products that pose the risk of injury or death can result in liability to all members of the supply chain who are responsible for the safety of their products and for warning consumers of any dangers associated with them.
Manufacturers, distributors and retail sellers can be held liable for defective household products because of:
- Defective product design
- Faulty assembly
- Failure to warn or attach proper warning labels
- Insufficient testing
- The presence of hazardous materials in the product (lead, asbestos, PCBs, etc.)
- Fraud or distortion of safety standards
- Improper installation of a new appliance by a service company
- Faulty service or repair of a large appliance
Damages, Statutes of Limitations and Other Legal Issues
Product designers and manufacturers must be held accountable for their dangerous, defective household appliances. High medical bills and extensive property damage are often the result. Recovery from an injury and replacing the destroyed property – not only the appliance, but also collateral damage to the home or garage, etc. – can be quite expensive. Legal damages that may be available to successful claimants include:
- All medical bills associated with the injury, including all associated costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income due to extended recovery and rehabilitation from injuries
- Additional wrongful death injuries if a family member is killed by a defective household product
The statute of limitations in an Illinois defective household product claim is generally 10 to 12 years from the date of its first sale [§735 ILCS 5/13-213(b)].
When product liability cases involve many civil claims in multiple states against the same appliance manufacturer, they usually result in all victims collectively bringing their claims against the defendant. This is when a special judge might combine them all into one giant lawsuit, called a mass tort. But on the other hand, an attorney arbitrarily can combine them into a single action, called a class action. Both are quite intricate. Ask your product liability attorney’s advice on the advantages and disadvantages of both as you contemplate your claim.
After fully investigating all the facts surrounding your injuries, Buttafuoco & Associates’ household product liability lawyers use proven negotiation tactics and if necessary, trial strategies to build strong liability claims. If you or a member of your family has suffered serious injury and significant property damage due to a defective household product, our firm offers a free consultation. Contact us anytime by calling 1-800-NOW-HURT or by filling out our online contact form.
