What if a Product Without a Warning Label Injured Me?
Product manufacturers creating products that have the potential to cause harm or serious injury are under an obligation to make sure consumers are aware of these safety risks. Instructions that do not demonstrate how to use a product safely, or don’t address potential safety hazards associated with the product, may be illegal. These defects are known as marketing defects. Another type of defect is a design defect, which happens when the manufacturer makes a dangerous product that is hazardous even when used correctly. The third kind is a manufacturing defect, which occurs when a manufacturer makes an error during product creation, causing a hazard that was not included in the product design.
What Are Some Common Defective Products?
Auto components: vehicle ignition systems, fuel systems, accelerators, airbags, seatbelts, tires, brakes, and child seats are everyday recalled items.
Children’s toys: Toys often pose choking hazards or other safety risks during use.
Furniture: Ikea has recently recalled millions of dresser cabinets because of the risk they pose of falling on children and injuring them.
Over-the-counter drugs: Prescription medications and other health products are subject to common recalls.
How Can You Be Notified of Product Recalls?
If a manufacturer learns of a safety hazard involving its product, it must report it to the government agency responsible for consumer safety in its industry. The manufacturer or government agency must then run a campaign to notify as many consumers of the product as possible. They do this through posting on their website, sending letters, media coverage, or electronic notifications like emails. Due to the scope of the products sold and resold, all users of the recalled product will likely not be able to receive notification.
A product can be unsafe for several reasons. A product can be inherently hazardous and lack safety instructions, contain a manufacturing defect that poses hazards, or have instructions that do not detail proper safe use. In the event of a product liability injury, an experienced Lufkin product safety attorney can help you fight large manufacturing corporations. Many recalls are not formed about until a consumer files a complaint, and a product manufacturer will often try to offer the minimum amount of coverage for the damages they caused. The Lufkin personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to fighting for the best compensation provided under Texas State Law in unsafe product damage cases. Call us today. We can help.