All of us use dozens of consumer products every day – especially as many of us stay at home in light of the current pandemic. From the coffee maker on your counter to the toothbrush you use right before bed, consumer products made by others are an integral part of our daily lives.
These products undoubtedly make our lives easier and more convenient – but they can also cause extremely serious injuries when they are defective. Fortunately for victims of defective products, North Dakota and Minnesota laws allow people who are injured by defective consumer products to recover compensation for their losses in many cases. To learn more, you should contact a Fargo personal injury attorney as soon as you can.
What Kinds of Defective Products Can Cause Injuries?
When you think about consumer products that can cause injuries, you may immediately think of inherently dangerous products like vehicles or power tools. While these products can certainly cause serious injuries when they are defective, it’s vital to keep in mind that almost any product you bring into your home could cause injuries. Some common products that often cause injuries when they are defective include:
- Cosmetics
- Furniture
- Sports equipment
- Baby products
- Toys
- Clothing
- Musical Instruments
- Electronics and appliances
There are myriad ways in which a product can be defective. For example, a piece of furniture could be inherently unstable, and cosmetics could contain harmful impurities that could damage your skin. That said, all product defects fall into one of three categories:
Design Defects
Design defects are problems with the way a particular product is designed. These types of defects tend to affect every instance of a product rather than a particular batch or lot.
Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing defects happen when a product is poorly manufactured. These kinds of defects often involve the use of substandard materials or poor workmanship and may only affect a certain batch.
Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)
Marketing defects occur when a manufacturer fails to warn consumers about some non-obvious danger that could have been easily mitigated with a simple warning. These kinds of cases are also referred to as “failure to warn” cases.
What Should You Do If You Are Injured by a Defective Product?
If you are injured by a defective product, be sure to keep the product and any packaging or instruction that came with it. Seek medical attention as soon as you can, even if you do not think your injuries are particularly serious. Finally, contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and learn about your options.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Fargo Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured by a defective product at home, there is a good chance that you are entitled to compensation under state law. To discuss your case with a lawyer, contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, Tim O’Keeffe, Tatum O’Brien or Sara Monson by email, or call O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys at 701-235-8000 or toll-free 877-235-8002.