What are Product Liability Lawsuits?

Product liability is a very wide-reaching area of the practice of law, and requires the expertise of specifically-trained attorneys. A liability lawsuit may be filed after a product causes physical or mental harm, or results in accidental death. Product liability lawsuits may also be brought against a party for failure to fully disclose any and all dangers involved with using the product. Famous and news-worthy product liability cases typically involve faulty manufacturing of an item, or devastating side effects of drugs in some patients. A product is usually considered liable for an injury or death if the incident is shown to be a direct result of using the product. Seatbelt manufacturers, automakers, pharmaceutical companies, and toy manufacturers are typically the subject of product liability litigation. Other parties involved in encouraging the use of a faulty product may be held personally liable in these cases as well. For example, if you have been prescribed a drug by your doctor and did not receive disclosure of possible harmful side effects, and you are subsequently party to those effects, you may have the option of filing a case against both the manufacturer and the prescriber. Product liability attorneys specialize in pursuing damages in relation to the use of harmful products. However, there are typically time limits for a victim of faulty products to file a liability claim. A statute of repose may exist, in addition to a statute of limitations, which require timely reporting and claims of damages. Statutes of limitation require that legal action be taken within a specific period of time from the injury incurred from a product. However, a statute of repose may limit claims after a certain period of time from the delivery of the product. This means that if a statute of repose imposes a limit of five years but your injuries are not experienced until six years after taking a drug, you will need professional help to determine your best course of action. Contact a product liability and personal injury professional today to determine what type of actions you may pursue as a result of any injury you have experienced from use of a faulty product.