What You Need to Know About Product Liability Claims in Philadelphia

When you buy a product, you expect that it will work the way that it is intended to and that it will not hurt you and your loved ones. Sometimes, unfortunately, our expectations are not met. We have all purchased products that did not work as intended. Sometimes, a product is not only defective but is also actually dangerous. This may be because of the way that it was designed, the way it was manufactured, or the way that it was advertised. That's why when you file a product liability claim in Pennsylvania, you are going to be making one of the following claims: that there is a defect with manufacturing, design, or marketing.

When manufacturers, stores, designers, and others fail to ensure that the products they make and sell are safe for consumption, they can be held liable for damages that their customers suffer as a result. Product liability claims are lawsuits that are meant to help a victim of a defective and dangerous product obtain the financial compensation they need for their losses. Those losses may include medical bills, time off work during recovery from injuries, and more. 

Because product liability law can be complicated, and filing a successful claim for compensation requires skill and experience, it is imperative to have an attorney experienced with product liability representing you. If you were injured or lost a loved one from a defective product, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Call the Philadelphia defective product attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP for a free case review.

Important Facts About Product Liability

There are several types of products that have the potential to harm consumers if they are faulty in some way. Pharmaceuticals, toys, automobiles, medical devices, and household appliances are some of the most common examples. 

For any product liability case, you must show how the product was harmful. A marketing defect, for example, describes a situation where a product lacks sufficient warnings about potential dangers when using the product or the safety instructions are not comprehensive or clear to understand.

A design defect means you must show that something inherent in the way the product was designed is dangerous. An example of a design defect is a crib bumper. These products were designed to cushion the baby from the hard wood of the crib rails, but they were found to be incredibly dangerous due to the risk of strangulation.

Finally, a product could have a manufacturing defect, meaning the design itself was safe, but when the product was actually built, something went wrong, resulting in a dangerous product. 

In some situations, even if a manufacturer took all the right steps to make products safe, they may still be held liable for paying damages to a victim who was injured by a defective product. Furthermore, a product liability claim may hold many parties liable for paying damages. Responsible parties could include the distributor, the manufacturer, the wholesaler, and anyone else involved in the product's journey. 

The statute of limitations for a product defect claim in Pennsylvania is two years. So, with some exceptions, you have a two-year window to file a product liability claim. It's best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after you are harmed by a product. 

Speak to an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP Today

Defective products can cause disabling injuries, and they can also be deadly. Victims hurt by defective products or those who have lost a loved one due to a dangerous product deserve compensation for their harm. The law allows you to hold liable parties accountable by filing a product liability claim. For more information on product liability claims or other personal injury claims, please call Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP,  to schedule a free consultation at (215) 731-9900.