When you buy something for yourself or your family, you expect it to be safe. Products that make it to the market should only be there after passing inspections and safety tests. However, we know that defective products cause injuries and fatalities all the time.
At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we understand that faulty product cases can become incredibly complex. We also know that you need compensation for all of your injury or illness-related expenses. When you need a Philadelphia product liability attorney, contact us today.
What Types Of Products Can Become Defective?
Think about how many products you use on a daily basis. From the food you make for breakfast to the vehicle you use to get to work and everything in between, you probably use hundreds of items each day. However, we know that defective products make it to the market.
The government website that tracks all current recalls paints a grim picture. Faulty products are in every industry:
- Automotive
- Toys
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Medications
- Cosmetics
- Foods
- Beverages
- Medical devices
- Chemicals
- And more
We would like to think that the products that make it to the shelves or that we buy online are completely safe for us, but there are thousands of injuries and illnesses in the US each year caused by faulty products. In many cases, illnesses are not discovered until years after a person has used or continues to use a product.
What Causes Products To Be Defective?
Typically, products become defective in one of three ways:
- Poor Design: If a product has a poor design that is not discovered in testing and makes it to the market, it can cause injuries or illnesses. Poor designs can affect any product, whether it is meant to be used or consumed.
- Manufacturing Error: Even well-designed products can experience errors during manufacturing that alter them from their original design. This can have the same effect on the consumer as a poorly designed product.
- Labeling Issues: When a product is labeled incorrectly, it misleads consumers. This can mean that ingredient lists or dosages are incorrect. It can include hazards or warnings not being on the label or instructions being incorrect.
Regardless of how a product is defective, it can cause major consumer illnesses or injuries. A company or manufacturer should be held responsible when this happens.
Is There A Time Limit For Filing A Defective Product Case In Philadelphia?
Yes, there are time limits that victims need to be aware of if they are harmed due to a defective product. In general, the Pennsylvania product liability statute of limitations is two years from the day the injury occurs. However, this two-year time limit can be paused in the event a person does not discover that they were injured due to a defective product until a later date because a company or manufacturer fraudulently concealed the defect.
In general, the statute of limitations “clock” will begin ticking from the moment a person knows or reasonably should have discovered that the injury was caused by a faulty product in Pennsylvania.
It is also important to understand that there is something called a statute of repose in these defect cases involving real estate. This means that Pennsylvania law provides 12 years for a person to file a defective product claim related to real estate improvements that caused harm to a person or property.
What Type Of Compensation Is Available For Philadelphia Defective Product Case?
There may be various types of compensation available to victims of defective products in Philadelphia. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we strive to recover economic damages and non-economic damages on behalf of every client harmed by faulty products, including the following:
- Coverage of all medical bills caused by the defective product
- Lost income if a victim cannot work while recovering
- Property damage expenses caused by the product defect
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of quality of life damages
The total amount of compensation available in these cases will vary depending on the facts surrounding each particular defective product case. A skilled Philadelphia defective product lawyer will be able to examine the case, work with trusted medical and economic experts, and help properly calculate the total expected losses.
Contact A Philadelphia Product Liability Attorney As Soon As Possible
If you or somebody you love has been injured or become ill as a result of a defective product in or around the Philadelphia area, contact the team at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. as soon as possible. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling complex injury cases throughout Philadelphia, and we understand what it takes to help clients recover complete compensation for their losses. We are not afraid to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers or major companies in these situations. When you need a Philadelphia product liability attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.