Manufacturing Defective Products

If you believe you have suffered personal injury as the result of a dangerous and defective product, contact Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., today online for a free consultation or call us toll free at 1-800-318-LAW1.

In addition to consulting with an experience Pennsylvania product liability lawyer , here are other steps to take if you believe you have been harmed by defective product.

1. Immediately Seek Medical Assistance

If you have suffered an injury such as a burn, electrocution, laceration, sprain, fracture or amputation, you would need to immediately seek medical assistance by calling for an ambulance or going to a hospital emergency room. Even if you think you have suffered a minor injury, you should still seek medical treatment for potential internal injuries.

Make sure to give complete and honest answers to any questions that medical personnel ask for the sake of your treatment, including information about the product you were using and how you were using it.

After a few days, follow up with your family physician or a specialist in order to determine the full extent of your injuries and the treatment you will need, including medication, surgery, casts, braces, splints and any physical rehabilitation.

2. Secure the Product

The most important piece of evidence in a product liability case is the defective product itself. You need to secure the product  and preserve it for use in any litigation that might follow. This must be done almost immediately after the accident so that you will be able to show the condition the product was in at the time you suffered your property damage or personal injury.

You should also compile any instructions, guides, warranties or other paperwork that came with the product as well as the box and packaging, which could be used as evidence as well.

Record information that might be found in the product’s labeling or engraved in the product, such as a serial number, product number or tracking number.

If you are concerned that the product’s condition might not be preserved, you can take photographs of the product as well.

3. Track the Product

A product liability claim can be asserted against anyone in the chain of distribution, including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers. In order to track the product’s history, you should make sure to preserve any receipt, bill of sale or check to indicate where, when and from whom you purchased the product. This information will be an important first step in investigating your product liability claim.

4. Collect Witness Information

If you were surrounded by other people when an accident involving the defective product occurred, including friends, family or even strangers, collect their contact information. You might even want to jot down a few notes about what they saw.

An eyewitness can play an important role in countering potential defenses raised by the opposing parties in product liability claim, such as the allegation that you may have been misusing or abusing the product at the time of your injury.

5. Preserve Evidence of Your Injury

If you have received medical treatment, these records will be crucial in showing the cause and extent of your injury. You should also take photos of any burns, fractures, cuts or bruises that you suffered in the accident. Photographic evidence can be extremely important when attempting to reach a settlement or persuade a jury in a product liability case.

6. Keep Track of All Injury-Related Expenses

Make sure to save any receipts or other evidence that shows you received medical treatment, including doctor’s visits, X-rays, medications and braces or casts.

You should also document any missed work or school and any expenses related to your injury, such as a cane or walker.

Any party that is held responsible for your product-related property damage or personal injury should be charged with repaying you for every penny you’ve spent as the result of being harmed by a dangerous and defective product.

7. Do Not Talk Speak With Any Other Attorney/Claims Representative

If you report your accident and injury directly to the company that manufactured or sold the defective product, then there is a chance you will be contacted by a company representative, such as an attorney, claims representative or customer service employee.

Do not talk to any of those representatives until you have first spoken with an experienced product liability attorney. The company’s main goal will be to minimize your case and arrive at a quick, cheap resolution that does not fully compensate you for the true extent of your injuries.

Contact Us Today

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our product liability lawyers have successfully represented those who have suffered damages caused by defective products. We understand the complexity of product liability laws and the challenge of proving a case. Research, investigation and skilled litigation can be crucial to success, including the ability to explain to a jury what happened and why through pictures, models, computer animations or expert testimony.

If you have suffered property damage or personal injury as the result of a defective product, contact us right away for a free consultation by calling 1-800-318-LAW-1 or by using our online form.

Our Pennsylvania product liability lawyers are familiar with product liability claims, and we have the experience, skill and vast network of experts to pursue compensation on your behalf.