Gainesville Defective Product Lawyer
Product Liability Cases in Hall County
Product designers, manufacturers, and distributors have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are reasonably safe and free from potentially hazardous flaws. Unfortunately, defective products frequently make it onto the market and into the hands of ordinary consumers every day. When this happens, innocent people can be seriously hurt and—in the most tragic of cases—may even succumb to fatal injuries.
If you were injured or if someone you love was killed due to a defective product, you may have a product liability case against the manufacturer, seller, or another party. Taking on a large company and its defense team is no easy task—it’s important that you have a skilled product liability lawyer on your side to help ensure your rights are protected.
At Hasty Pope, LLP, we have been representing the people of Hall County and the surrounding areas since 1953. With over 150 years of collective experience, our Gainesville defective product lawyers understand what it takes to effectively advocate on behalf of injured consumers against large product manufacturers, distributors, and other entities. We have successfully recovered more than $100 million for our clients; get in touch with us today to learn how our team can fight for you.
Call (770) 741-1951 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Makes a Product Defective?
While products can be defective in many ways, there are three main categories of product defects.
These include:
- Design Defects: If a product has a defective design, it means that the product is inherently unreasonably unsafe for normal use. In other words, the product was designed in a way that makes it unreasonably hazardous for consumers.
- Manufacturing Defects: A manufacturing defect occurs when a product has a sound design, but a flaw is introduced during the production phase. Examples include products created with missing components or those that become contaminated during manufacturing.
- Labeling/Marketing Defects: Labeling/marketing defects occur when a product is distributed incorrectly or in a manner that is unsafe. For example, a product that is missing important safety warnings or one that is marketed for untested use may have this type of defect.
Determining what type of defect a product had can be difficult, but it is critical to the outcome of your case. At Hasty Pope, LLP, our Gainesville, GA product liability lawyers work with a team of experts—comprising accident reconstructionists, investigators, medical professionals, economists, and others—who help us identify whether a product was defective and, if so, what type of defect it had. This allows us to then build a solid case against the liable party, be it the designer, manufacturer, distributor, or seller.
Examples of Defective Products
Every day, we use countless products to navigate our lives. From smartphones to cars to medications, these products serve to make our lives better, easier, and safer. But when they fail to work properly, the consequences can be devastating.
Some of the most commonly defective products we see include:
- Auto defects, such as defective tires, braking and ignition systems, seatbelts, and airbags
- Child products, such as toys, car seats, and cribs
- Medications and medical devices, such as hip and knee replacements, IUDs, and hernia mesh
- Electronics, including personal computers, cell phones, e-cigarettes, and chargers
- Household appliances, including washing machines and dryers, water heaters, and dishwashers
- Tools and machinery, such as power tools, heavy machinery, and industrial equipment
- Household cleaners, detergents, solvents, and other substances
- Food items, including contaminated foods and drinks, causing food poisoning
This is by no means an exhaustive list; if you were injured after using any type of defective product, do not hesitate to reach out to an attorney at our firm. In Georgia, you only have two years from the date of the injury (or the date on which you discovered/reasonably should have discovered the injury) to file a claim. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact Hasty Pope, LLP for help with your claim today.
Liability in Product Liability Claims
Establishing liability in product liability claims is generally a complex process. First, there are several legal theories under which you may bring a claim.
These include:
- Strict Liability: Under the theory of strict liability, a product manufacturer or supplier is liable for injuries and harm resulting from product defects in all instances. With strict liability, you do not need to prove that any specific party was negligent or acted wrongfully, only that you were injured due to a defective product the liable entity created or distributed.
- Negligence: Under the theory of negligence, you can file a product liability claim against a manufacturer, designer, seller, or distributor by proving that the entity in question acted negligently or wrongfully, either by act or omission. Examples include failure to conduct adequate safety testing, failure to inspect factories, failure to provide adequate training, etc.
- Breach of Contract/Warranty: Under the theory of breach of contract/warranty, you can bring a claim against a liable entity when a product does not work as intended and/or advertised. The contract or warranty can be implicit/implied or explicit/expressed, but if the product does not live up to the manufacturer’s claims, you could have a case.
It can be difficult to pinpoint a product defect as the root cause of an accident, such as a car crash or house fire. Because of this, it is important that you work with an experienced legal team that not only understands personal injury law but also has a history of success in this area of law.
How Hasty Pope, LLP Can Help
At Hasty Pope, LLP, we are dedicated to maximizing our clients’ recoveries. We understand the immense impact defective products have on the lives of victims and their loved ones. You could be dealing with significant injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and other financial hardships—not to mention considerable physical pain and emotional trauma. Our Gainesville defective product lawyers are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you are owed so that you can get the medical care you need and get back on your feet.
Depending on the specifics of your case, we may be able to help you recover compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care costs
- Medications and medical equipment/devices
- In-home care
- Home modifications
- Lost income/wages
- Future lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
When you trust your case to Hasty Pope, LLP, you get a team that will advocate for you. We truly care about you and your recovery, which is why we go above and beyond to help our clients navigate the many complexities of the legal process.
Request a Free Consultation Today
A defective product can wreak havoc in your life. But you don’t have to face the future alone. Get in touch with our team at Hasty Pope, LLP and put more than 150 years of combined experience and a proven record of success on your side. We have the knowledge, resources, and skill to represent your best interests.
We offer free initial consultations and contingency fees. This means you do not owe anything unless/until we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf. Our firm provides Spanish-speaking legal services and treat our clients like family.
Call us today at (770) 741-1951 or submit a free online case evaluation form to learn how Hasty Pope, LLP can help you with your product liability case.