Rockville Defective Products Lawyer

From automobiles to smartphones to toys meant for small children, manufacturer recalls based on some type of dangerous product defect are unfortunately all too common in the modern United States. To make matters worse, many such recalls come too late to prevent dozens or even hundreds of people from suffering serious injuries that would not have occurred but for the manufacturer’s failure to make a reasonably safe product.

If you sustained injury from an improperly designed, manufactured, or advertised consumer product, you may need a Rockville defective products lawyer’s help to fully utilize your right to financial recovery. You can and often should take legal action against irresponsible manufacturers in situations like this, but doing so effectively without a personal injury attorney’s guidance can often be next to impossible.

Possible Grounds for a Product Liability Claim

Depending on their unique circumstances, a person who gets hurt due to a product defect may have multiple legal theories under which they could pursue financial restitution for their damages. The most straightforward of these is legal negligence, which involves proving that a manufacturer acted in a reckless or careless way while making a product that a responsible manufacturer would not have. This is the same legal theory that applies to most other forms of personal injury litigation, like cases stemming from car crashes or from accidents on someone else’s property.

Alternatively, it may be possible in some situations to hold a manufacturer strictly liable for a defect, meaning that they would be at fault for damages regardless of whether they met the traditional definition of negligence. Strict liability may apply to a product liability claim if all the following criteria are met:

  • The product was defective in its design, manufacturing, or marketing that existed when it left the manufacturer’s direct control
  • The product’s condition did not substantially change between when it left the manufacturer’s control and when the consumer received it
  • The defect presented an unreasonably dangerous risk of harm to consumers and users
  • The defect directly resulted in a consumer or user suffering physical injury

Finally, some claims of this nature are based around a breach of warranty—specifically, an implied or express promise made by a product’s manufacturer that it would remain safe for normal use for a certain period of time. A Rockville defective products attorney could explain all these potential options for litigation in detail during a private consultation.

Recovering Comprehensively within Filing Deadlines

A successful defective product case may allow recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. In other words, a person hurt by a defective or dangerous product could demand restitution not just for objective financial losses like medical expenses and missed work income, but also subjective forms of harm like physical pain and suffering.

Like any personal injury claim, though, product liability lawsuits are subject to a statute of limitations that determines how long prospective plaintiffs have to file suit. Under Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §5-101, injured individuals or their product liability lawyers in Rockville generally must submit their initial complaint no later than three years after the date on which they actually sustained injury from a defective product.

Talk to a Rockville Defective Products Attorney Today

For various reasons, civil claims based on defective consumer products tend to be uniquely complicated and challenging for plaintiffs to pursue by themselves. No matter what past experience you have with civil litigation, seeking help from an experienced legal representative should be a priority after sustaining injury due to manufacturer neglect.

A Rockville defective products lawyer could explain your options and offer guidance about next steps during a private initial meeting. Schedule yours by calling today.