How Can I Tell If a Defective Product Caused My Injury?

Thousands of people are seriously or fatally injured by defective products every year. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our Providence defective products lawyers understand how devastating the losses caused by these injuries can be. If you need help, call us at 401-273-8330 to schedule a FREE and confidential case review today.

How Many People Are Injured by Defective Products Yearly?

According to the National Safety Council, 12,740,256 people were injured by defective products in the United States in 2023. That’s nearly 35,000 injuries from defective products per day. The leading causes of these accidents are stairs, ramps, landings and floors, but nearly any consumer product—from building materials to television sets—can cause harm when defective.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that hazards associated with defective products cause an estimated annual cost of over $1 trillion in medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage yearly, with some of the most common injuries being:

• Lacerations and disfigurement
• Traumatic brain injury
• Traumatic amputation
• Spinal cord injury
• Electrocution and burns
• Broken bones

Many of these injuries will result in lasting or even permanent damage, require extensive medical intervention, prevent you from working, and cause significant emotional and financial burdens. When you are the victim of a defective product, covering these expenses should not fall to you.

Our Providence Defective Products Attorneys Are Here to Help

At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our goal is to remove your obstacles and lessen your burdens as we fight for the damages you are owed. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed by a product defect, we can investigate the incident, gather the appropriate evidence, and work to ensure those liable for your injury are held accountable.

What Makes a Product Defective?

Generally speaking, a defective product is one that fails to meet reasonable consumer safety expectations. This is typically due to one of three reasons:

1. Design Defects. Problems inherent in a product’s design or blueprint that make it unreasonably dangerous, even when manufactured correctly.
2. Manufacturing Defects. Flaws that occur during the production or assembly process, such as using substandard materials or incorrect assembly methods.
3. Marketing Defects. Inadequate instructions, improper labeling, or insufficient warnings about dangers that are not obvious to the average consumer.

Several factors might contribute to a defective product injury. Determining what those are is an important step in identifying who can be held liable.

How Are Product Defects Investigated?

There are several steps our Providence defective products lawyers may take when investigating these accidents, including:

• Collecting Physical Evidence. This may include the defective product itself, along with medical records, photos, video, and similar records.
• Consulting Experts. We may work with skilled engineers, product designers, and safety professionals to analyze how the product defect occurred.
• Reviewing Documents. Your defective products lawyer may also need to assess manufacturing records, maintenance logs, and design blueprints to find errors in the production process.

In some product liability cases, multiple parties share a portion of the blame. Having an investigation conducted by an experienced attorney helps to ensure all of them are identified, allowing you to seek the full compensation you are due.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Product Injury?

Determining liability in a product defect injury case can be a complex process, because more than one party may be at fault. This can include:

• Designers and Engineers: If a fundamental flaw in the product’s design made it unsafe from the start.
• Manufacturers: When something goes wrong during production or assembly, leading to a defective unit (or batch) of products.
• Distributors: Companies handling the product between manufacturing and retail may sometimes introduce damage.
• Retailers: Retailers may also be liable if they sold a dangerous product or failed to remove recalled items from their shelves.

It is important to note that you may still be entitled to file a product liability claim even if you purchased a used product. Product liability claims are about safety defects, not prior use.

What if My Injury Was Caused by a Recalled Product?

There can be multiple reasons people wonder if they can file a claim following injury from a product that has been recalled. The two most common are:

1. They wonder if the recall protects the liable parties from legal action (it does not) or,
2. They wonder if the recall will help boost their case (it might)

Companies often issue recalls—in part—to avoid future litigation brought about by defects. This does not shield them from liability for those injuries that have already occurred. Nor does it shield them from responsibility for injuries that may occur in the future. It might, however, complicate legal proceedings. This is another area where having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference. Your Providence defective products lawyer will examine recall notices, track timelines, and work to hold those responsible to full account.

Our Providence Defective Products Lawyers Can Help

At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our lawyers have decades of experience helping victims of defective products seek compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial damages. We know that every situation is unique. With us, you’ll receive guidance tailored to your specific needs and representation designed to maximize the compensation you receive. We are exhaustive in our investigations—allowing us to identify all liable parties—and thorough in our case preparation. Even if your claim is likely to settle in negotiations, we will plan for a trial, ensuring we are prepared to represent your interests no matter what.

We are proud to have tried cases that change laws and reformed institutions, but our biggest wins come when we help individuals and families seek justice. We have secured several notable settlements and verdicts for our clients and fight tirelessly to make sure victims of serious injury are provided the compensation they need to make the best recovery possible. Our Providence defective products lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay for our services after we have secured compensation on your behalf.

Contact Us for a FREE Defective Product Injury Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered harm from a defective product, time is of the essence. You only have three years from the date of your injury to take legal action. Don’t hesitate. Contact us today to schedule your FREE case evaluation and learn how we can help. Located in Providence, our defective products attorneys welcome clients from all nearby areas of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.