Manufacturers and store owners have a responsibility to consumers. They must ensure that the products they make or sell are neither defective nor inherently dangerous. If a dangerous or defective product injures an unwary consumer, the manufacturer (and sometimes the designer, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer) is considered legally liable, as long as the consumer was using the product as it was meant to be used when he or she was injured. Whether the product is a hairdryer or an automobile tire, manufacturers must make sure that products are designed and made safely, that quality control systems prevent defective products from entering the market, and that adequate directions and warning labels are available to protect consumers.

Our firm handles a wide range of products liability cases. Here are a few examples of the areas in which we have experience.

Head Gear Protection
Sports are a source of entertainment, accomplishment, and enjoyment for many people. There are inherent dangers in many sports, however, that require special protective equipment. Perhaps no piece of safety gear is as important as head protection. Football players, cyclists, motorcycle riders, and other athletes whose sports increase their chance of head injury count on effective head gear protection to keep them safe. When a helmet or other head gear protection does not work properly, serious injuries can occur. The manufacturer of defective head gear protection is legally liable for injuries that befall the people who had counted on the company's product. We have experience litigating against negligent manufacturers and have brought successful verdicts and settlements to our clients.

Motor Vehicle Liability
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People rely on their vehicles everyday, so automobile manufacturers have a tremendous responsibility to provide for the safety of the people who use their products. Design defects or the use of substandard parts may increase the likelihood of an injury accident for which the manufacturer is legally liable. For instance, a manufacturer may be liable for a problem in the design of an SUV that makes it more likely to rollover during a crash, for faulty wiring that causes a car to ignite after an accident, or for a malfunctioning steering column that makes a collision more likely.

Food Product Contamination
Food poisoning can range from mild discomfort to serious illness, or even death. E.coli, salmonella, and other bacteria are sometimes found in food products that have not been properly prepared or stored. Depending on the individual case, a restaurant, grocery store, or food product manufacturing company may have liability. If you have suffered from food product contamination or if you have a loved one who has been harmed by food poisoning, please contact us today.

Industrial and Agricultural Products
Injuries caused by machines, tools, or other products used in industry and agriculture are sometimes severe and disabling. Loss of a limb, paralysis, head injuries, and other types of injuries can be caused by defective or dangerous industrial and agricultural products. In some cases, the product itself may malfunction or work improperly, in others, the design of the product may in dangerous. Some products may not contain adequate safety warnings or directions. In any of these cases, the manufacturing company may be legally liable.

Back-up Alarms
Semi-trucks, school buses, and other large vehicles use back-up alarms to warn pedestrians and other cars that they will soon be moving in reverse. Because drivers in these vehicles have large blind spots, back-up alarms are an important safety measure that helps protect people nearby. If a large truck or other vehicle has a faulty back-up alarm or is missing one altogether, accidents that should have been preventable may occur. Pedestrians and small passenger cars do not often fare well in such accidents, making the lack of a back-up alarm even more negligent and dangerous. If an installed back-up alarm fails to work, the alarm or vehicle manufacturer may be to blame. If a large vehicle does not have a back-up alarm, the truck manufacturer, dealer, or other party may bear liability.