Cherry Hill Product Liability Lawyer

Every day, we rely on countless products for our safety, health, and daily tasks. From household appliances to our children’s toys and products to the cars we drive, we trust that these products are designed and manufactured safely.

The unfortunate fact is that defective products still make it to the shelves, leading to accidents, preventable injuries, and worse. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that more than 30 million people in the US experience injuries related to defective consumer products each year, and more than 20,000 are killed by them.

If you’ve suffered an injury or a loved one has died due to the use of a faulty or dangerous item, a Cherry Hill product liability lawyer can be invaluable in making sure that your rights are protected and that you can pursue maximum compensation. Reach out to our firm for an initial consultation to learn more about legal remedies you can pursue if you’re hurt.

Claims can be just as varied and complex, requiring a thorough understanding and experience with related laws to ensure that you get a fair and just outcome.

In New Jersey, product liability laws fall under strict liability. This means that you don’t need to prove negligence to win a case. Instead, you only need to show that the product was defective and it was this defect that directly resulted in your injuries or losses.

A product liability lawyer in Cherry Hill can help you understand these legal complexities, gather solid evidence of liability, and build a strong case on your behalf.

Product Defects by Type

Product liability claims typically fall into three categories based on the specific cause of the defect. These include:

1. Manufacturing Defects: These defects occur during the production or assembly of the product. Even though the design of the product is sound, if something goes wrong during manufacturing, the end result can still be a dangerous product. For example, an otherwise safe car design could be fitted with faulty brakes due to a manufacturing error, specifically in the brakes.
2. Design Defects: A design defect exists when a product’s design is inherently unsafe, even if it was manufactured correctly. For instance, a children’s toy with small, detachable parts could pose a choking hazard, making the entire line of toys dangerous by design.
3. Failure To Warn (Marketing Defects): If a product doesn’t include adequate safety warnings or instructions that avoid a common danger, it could result in misuse and injury. This type of defect often happens in cases involving pharmaceuticals, where a failure to properly warn consumers about potential side effects leads to serious health issues or wrongful death.

Each type of defect requires a unique legal approach, and proving the defect in question can be challenging. An experienced Cherry Hill product liability lawyer can help you determine the nature of the defect and build a case accordingly.

Who Can Be Considered Liable for Your Injuries From the Use of a Dangerous Product?

When it comes to product liability cases, multiple parties in the supply chain, including the following, could all be considered liable for that defective item getting into your hands, such as the:

• Designer: It’s the responsibility of this person or entity to create products that will not only serve a purpose but do so safely. If the design isn’t sound, the person who devised the idea for it could be held accountable for its failures.
• Manufacturer: This includes both the manufacturer of component parts and the final product. If the defect originated during the creation of the product, the manufacturer is often the primary defendant in a liability claim.
• Distributor: Distributors who transport and supply products to retailers can also be held responsible if they knowingly distribute unsafe or defective products.
• Retailer: The retailer may be liable as well if they sell a defective product. Here in New Jersey, even if the retailer didn’t contribute to the defect, they can still be held accountable under our state’s strict liability laws.

Identifying the liable parties is essential in a product liability case. Your product liability attorney in Cherry Hill will investigate the supply chain to determine everyone who should be held responsible for your injuries and then make sure that all potentially responsible parties are included in the claim.

What To Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Defective Product

If you’ve been injured by a dangerous consumer good, taking the right steps can help protect your legal rights and build a solid foundation for your claim. Here’s how you do that:

• Seek Medical Attention: Your health should always be your top priority. Seek medical care for your injuries immediately and follow through with all recommended treatments. Medical records will prove to be vital evidence in your case.
• Preserve the Product: Keep the defective product in the same condition it was in when the injury occurred. Do not attempt to repair it, as this may alter evidence. Save any packaging, instructions, and receipts as well.
• Document the Injury and Scene: Take photos of your injuries, the defective product, and the accident scene if possible. Documenting the condition of the product and your injuries will be valuable in supporting your claim.
• Keep Records of Your Expenses and Losses: Anything that has cost or lost you money, including medical bills, lost wages, and related expenses, can all be considered recoverable damages in a product liability case. Make sure to keep a detailed record of all costs incurred because of your injury, as well as receipts and dates of purchase or billing.
• Consult a Cherry Hill Product Liability Lawyer: Product liability cases are complex and require an in-depth understanding of the law. An attorney can help guide you through the process, gather evidence, and pursue compensation.

Recovering Compensation in Product Liability Cases in Camden County, NJ

In New Jersey, if you’re the victim of a defective product, you may be eligible for various types of compensation, including costs for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any ongoing or future medical care related to your injury.

If your injury caused you to miss work, you can seek compensation for lost wages. If your injury has a negative impact on your future earnings, your attorney can help calculate potential future losses as well.

Product-related injuries can result in debilitating physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish, and all are considered non-economic damages for which compensation may be awarded. If your injuries have impacted your relationship with a spouse or family members, compensation for loss of companionship may be available.

An experienced product liability lawyer will work to accurately calculate your damages, ensuring that all losses are considered when seeking compensation.