Orland Park Defective Products Attorneys

Lawyers Assisting With Product Liability Claims in Orland Park, Illinois

Over the years, the consumer market has grown tremendously. While this has given buyers more options and more purchasing power, it has also led to issues that have put people at risk. In order to stay relevant and earn more money, manufacturers may try to create and produce new products at a faster rate and a reduced cost. This can lead to all sorts of problems, but the most concerning is that poorly tested or cheaply made products often have dangerous defects that place consumers at risk.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we believe that consumers have a right to expect the products they purchase and use to be safe and functional. When products fail to meet this expectation and cause people to suffer serious injuries, we can provide aggressive legal representation, helping injury victims recover compensation for their losses. Our law firm is dedicated to protecting our clients' best interests and well-being. We proactively prepare each case for litigation, making sure we are ready to stand up to any attempts by product manufacturers or other parties to evade liability. When you work with us, we will stand by your side and work to ensure that you will be able to receive the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Dangerous and Defective Products

Manufacturing companies that negligently produce dangerous and defective products have one thing in mind: profit. They may cut corners and fail to fully test their products, or they may even attempt to cover up concerning and dangerous defects. When they prioritize their bottom line over the safety of consumers, they place the public at risk of suffering serious injuries. The following items are just a few examples of products that have led to injuries and fatalities:

  • Unsafe Food Products: When the proper sanitation procedures are not followed when growing, picking, packaging, processing, or distributing foods, they can become contaminated with infectious diseases or chemicals that may put people at risk. In recent years, there have been many examples of widespread food poisoning due to salmonella, E. coli, or other foodborne illnesses.
  • Vitamins and Dietary Supplements: These products have less stringent controls than drugs or food products, and they may contain harmful ingredients that could put the health of their users at risk.
  • Medical Devices: Multiple types of products used during medical treatment may be faulty, such as surgical instruments or diagnostic equipment. These defects can cause harm to patients who are receiving medical treatment.
  • Prescription Drugs: While drugs must undergo rigorous testing, they may have dangerous side effects that do not become known until they have been placed on the market. Drug manufacturers may be liable for failing to test drugs correctly or failing to inform doctors or patients about the potential risks of using a medication.
  • Medical Implants: Replacement joints, pacemakers, blood clot filters, hernia mesh, or other objects implanted into the bodies of patients can cause serious injuries if they break down or contain toxic substances.
  • Children's Products: When toys, children's furniture like changing tables, car seats, swings, or other products are defective, they can cause harm to children due to choking, falls, or exposure to toxic substances.
  • Automobiles and Parts: Defective auto parts can cause cars or trucks to break down, putting people at risk of injuries in car accidents or other situations. Defective seat belts, brakes, tires, engines, or other parts can put people at risk of serious harm.
  • Recreational Vehicles: ATVs, dune buggies, snowmobiles, or other types of vehicles may break down due to manufacturing defects or improper maintenance, leading to accidents that can harm riders or others.
  • Household Furniture and Appliances: Items used in the home can harm families by exposing them to toxic substances, collapsing, or causing fires.
  • Clothing: Some clothes may contain toxic substances, or they could create choking hazards or other issues that affect people's health.
  • Firearms: Guns that do not function correctly may explode or misfire, causing serious injuries.

Any of these products, as well as many others, have led to a wide range of injuries, including facial fractures, severe burns, illness, and even wrongful death. In these situations, extensive knowledge and resources are needed to successfully recover compensation for the injuries suffered by victims. Many companies have teams of attorneys that represent that are trained to head off injury claims, and they will do everything they can to protect the company's bottom line.

At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys fight against the unethical practices of companies that put people at risk through defective products. We recognize the impact that the injuries caused by faulty products can have on the lives of victims and their families. We can put our experience to work for you and help you recover full compensation for the harm you have suffered. We will meticulously investigate the details of your case and proactively prepare your case for trial. This will increase your chances of success in the pursuit of justice and the recovery of fair compensation.

Q

What is the time limit for a defective product claim?

Answer:

In Illinois, there is a two-year statute of limitations for product liability claims involving personal injuries. This means that a claim must be made within two years after the injury occurred, or two years after the injury was discovered. That is, a plaintiff can bring a claim within two years after they first knew or should have known about an injury. For defective product claims involving damage to property, the statute of limitations is five years.

Q

What are the different types of defective product claims?

Answer:

There are three types of product liability claims that can be made. A strict liability claim involves an injury that occurred when a product was being used as it was intended due to a defect in the product or other unreasonably dangerous conditions. A breach of warranty claim may be made if an injury occurs because a product did not function as designed. A negligence claim may be based on the failure of a product manufacturer, distributor, or seller to take reasonable care to design or produce a product or warn about the dangers of using the product.

Q

Who decides whether a product is defective?

Answer:

If a victim brings a product liability lawsuit against a product's manufacturer, distributor, or seller, the jury in the case will make the determination of whether the product was defective and whether the defendant is liable for the plaintiff's damages. Jurors may use a "consumer expectations test" to determine whether a product presented dangers that would not have been known to an ordinary consumer of the product, or a "risk-utility test" may be used to determine whether the risk of injury presented by a product outweighed the benefits of its use.

Q

What damages can I receive if I have been injured by a defective product?

Answer:

You can pursue compensation for any financial or personal losses you have experienced due to a defective product. These may include the costs of medical treatment for an injury, loss of income while recovering, impairment to earning capacity due to a disability, or physical and emotional pain and suffering. Victims may also be able to recover compensation for property damage, including the costs of repair or replacement of the defective product.

Q

Do I have to prove negligence in a defective product claim?

Answer:

If a product liability claim is based on strict liability, it will not be necessary to prove that a defendant was negligent. In these cases, a plaintiff must simply show that a product had an unreasonably dangerous condition that caused their injury, and a defendant may be held liable even if they were not aware of the dangerous condition. However, some product liability claims may also involve negligence, such as when a manufacturer did not provide warnings about a product's known hazards, or when a seller sold a product that they knew was dangerous.

Contact Our Orland Park, IL Defective Product Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective or dangerous product, Schwartz Injury Law can help you determine your legal options, and we will work to ensure that you will be fully compensated for your damages. Contact our Orland Park product liability attorneys at 708-888-2160 to schedule a free consultation with us today. We will aggressively protect your rights, your future, and your interests.

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