When you purchase a product, you expect it to be safe when used as directed, but the unfortunate reality is that many products on the shelves today can be dangerous. Design defects or manufacturer mistakes can cause harm to you or your loved ones, and it’s important to understand your rights if you’ve been injured. Manufacturers are legally obligated to produce safe products and provide sufficient warnings to consumers about any potential hazards associated with product use.
Unfortunately, you may only know if a product is defective once you get hurt. If a defective product hurts you, you may have a right to sue for compensation for medical expenses and other related losses.
The Francis Firm's Southlake product liability lawyers are skilled in litigating dangerous and defective product matters. Backed with more than 25 years of experience in personal injury law and notable results — over $35 million recovered in settlements and verdicts — the attorneys at The Francis Firm are ready to fight for you if a defective product harmed you or a loved one.
Types of Product Defects
A product can be defective in many ways. However, not all defects are the same, and their differences can impact your personal injury case. Typically, defects are broken down into three types:
Manufacturing Defects
A product's manufacturing defect occurs when a mistake is made during its production or assembly. The defect creates a flaw that deviates from the product's intended design and would not be present in other similar products made to the proper specifications.
To win a claim for a manufacturing defect, Our personal injury attorneys in Southlake will prove that the defect caused your injury. For instance, to prove a case involving faulty tires, we will gather evidence to show that the tires caused an accident and resulted in your injury.
Design Defects
A product with a flawed design can harm you or a loved one regardless of how well it was made. For example, a vehicle may have a design issue that affects the brakes, increasing the chances of a driver losing control of the car and leading to a car accident in Southlake.
If design defects hurt you, we will prove, through a preponderance of relevant evidence, that the product caused your injuries and that a safer alternative design was both economically and technically feasible and would have significantly reduced the risk.
Failure to Warn
Not all products are 100% safe. Many products on the market that we buy for daily use come with risks. Failure to warn involves inadequate warnings or instructions regarding the proper use of the product.
Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 82, manufacturers and distributors must clearly communicate any potential risks or dangers associated with their products using language that is easily understandable to the average consumer. An example of a failure-to-warn claim is when a medication lacks a warning about possible side effects and drug interactions.
The Francis Firm Injury Attorneys Handle All Types of Product Liability Claims
At The Francis Firm, our product liability attorneys handle claims arising from all types of defective and unsafe products throughout Texas. Locations we serve include Southlake, Dallas, Grapevine, Keller, Bedford, Fort Worth, and Grapevine. Among the common types of unsafe and defectively designed products we handle are the following:
Defective Medical Devices
Every day, patients rely on a variety of medical devices, such as:
- Hip replacements
- Walkers
- Pacemakers
- Blood clot filters
- Pelvic mesh
- Prosthetic limbs
Patients trust that the medical devices recommended by their doctors are FDA-approved and that their side effects are well understood. When these medical devices are faulty and cause unidentified side effects and serious risks, a patient may undergo multiple follow-up procedures to replace or remove the defective product.
Talk to our product liability lawyers immediately if you have suffered a serious injury related to a defective medical device.
Dangerous Drugs
Before any medication is released to the consumer market, it must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unfortunately, many approved medications are later found to have life-threatening side effects. Examples of dangerous drugs include certain pain relievers, birth control pills, and certain antidepressants.
If an over-the-counter or prescription medication harmed you in a way that was not an identified risk, speak with a Southlake product liability attorney.
Toys and Children's Items
Keeping our children safe is a top priority, which is why it can be especially concerning when you discover that your kid’s toys have been recalled due to dangerous defects.
Automotive Defects
It is crucial that all vehicles on the road be in good working condition. However, regardless of how carefully you drive or how meticulous you are with your vehicle's maintenance, you cannot overcome the risk associated with a dangerous defect.
If a component of your vehicle is not correctly made or installed, it puts you and others at risk. Examples of common auto defects include:
- Defective brakes
- Defective tires
- Defective seat belts
- Defective transmissions
- Defective airbags
- Defective fuel systems
It can be tempting to blame oneself when facing an injury caused by a product like a vehicle or medical device. After all, products are supposed to go through thorough testing and evaluation before hitting the market, right? While it's true that most products manufactured for public use are subject to certain regulations, the truth is that any product can be defective or fail and cause harm. Never assume you are at fault for your injuries while using a specific product.
The Francis Firm's Approach to Product Liability Cases
The Francis Firm's lawyers are familiar with all practice areas related to personal injury, including product liability law. We offer trusted legal guidance to people injured by defective and dangerous products in various cases, including defective medical devices, defective auto parts, and dangerous drugs. We are dedicated to fighting for injured victims in Southlake and can help you get the medical attention you need after your injury. Contact us online or call 817-329-9001 to talk to our product liability lawyers in Southlake. Get your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Southlake Office
410 S Nolen Dr
Ste. 140
Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 533-8773