As consumers, we assume the products we use on a daily basis are safe. We assume the manufacturers test their products before they are sold and distributed. However, sometimes defective products make their way onto the market and into our stores.
If you have been injured by a defective product, you may need the assistance of an Oklahoma City product liability lawyer to file a claim on your behalf. An Oklahoma City personal injury attorney at BDIW Law can investigate how a defective product caused your injuries. We can then determine who was responsible for allowing that product to be distributed and fight for compensation to help make you whole.
Categories of Product Liability Defects
There are three primary types of product liability defects. Some defective products can fall into more than one category. The three categories of product liability defects are as follows:
- Design defects: Design defects arise from errors in a product’s design or testing process.
- Manufacturing defects: Manufacturing defects arise from faults in a product’s manufacturing process.
- Marketing defects: Marketing defects arise from an insufficient warning label or instructions on a product.
If the product that caused your injuries or other losses arose from any of these categories, you may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit. A product liability attorney in Oklahoma City can review your potential claim and begin gathering evidence to prove the product was defective in some way. We can then file a claim and begin working to get you compensation for your injuries.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYCommon Types of Defective Products in Oklahoma City
Nearly any type of product could potentially be defective and cause injuries to a person. However, there are several products that are the subjects of product liability claims in Oklahoma City. Common types of defective items include the following:
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications
An example includes allegations that Chantix was contaminated with carcinogens.
Motor Vehicle Parts
An example includes allegations that Takata airbags were designed with a chemical that caused the devices to explode.
Children’s Toys
An example includes allegations that Aqua Dots failed to warn consumers of toxic chemicals.
Car Seats
An example includes allegations that Evenflo booster seats contained misleading safety statements.
Household Appliances
An example includes allegations that Whirlpool front-loading washing machines caused mold growth.
Power Tools
An example includes allegations that Makita angle grinders contained defective drive spindles.
Medical Devices
An example includes allegations that Covidien hernia mesh was constructed with polyester that caused health complications.
Construction Materials
An example includes allegations that Lumber Liquidators flooring contained formaldehyde.
Tobacco Products
An example includes allegations that JUUL e-cigarettes concealed the potency of nicotine.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 12.7 million individuals treated in emergency rooms for injuries that resulted from defective consumer products in 2022. The above examples are only a fraction of items that have been discovered to be defective. If you have been injured through the use of an unsafe product, an Oklahoma City product liability attorney can help you obtain monetary compensation for your injuries.
Who May Be Responsible for Your Product Liability Injuries in Oklahoma City
There are several parties who may be responsible for defective and dangerous products. Once it is determined whose negligence led to these products being distributed to the public, those parties can be held legally accountable for the injuries obtained by the use of those products. Parties who are often to blame in product liability cases include:
- Designers
- Manufacturers
- Suppliers
- Installers
- Distributors
- Marketers
- Retailers
- Wholesalers
In some product liability cases, more than one party can be held liable for harm resulting from the product’s use. An experienced product liability lawyer in Oklahoma City can review your claim and identify all parties potentially responsible for your injuries. We can then file a lawsuit against those parties and demand compensation on your behalf.
Common Product Liability Injuries
Injuries resulting from defective consumer products can range from minor to fatal. These injuries have likely caused you physical and financial harm. Injuries from product liability injuries often include:
- Burns
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer
Any of the injuries caused by a defective product can be devastating for you and your family members. An Oklahoma City product liability attorney can help you get justice for what you have lost. We can work to get you compensation for your injuries so you can focus on recovering.
Compensation You Can Receive in an Oklahoma City Product Liability Claim
As a result of the injuries you suffered from the use of an unsafe product, you may be entitled to receive certain monetary damages. Damages you can recover in an Oklahoma personal injury claim can include your tangible and intangible losses. Damages often received in successful product liability claims include:
- Economic damages: These damages are a type of compensatory damages. They are your material losses and can be easily quantified. They can include your medical expenses, lost wages, and physical therapy costs.
- Non-economic damages: These damages are also a type of compensatory damages. They are your non-material damages and are not as easy to calculate. They can include your pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and mental trauma.
- Punitive damages: These damages are rare and are only awarded in instances where the liable party acted intentionally or maliciously. In Oklahoma, punitive damages are limited to the greater of $100,000 or the amount of compensatory damages awarded in instances wherein the defendant acted with reckless disregard and to the greater of $500,000 or twice the amount of compensatory damages in cases wherein the defendant acted maliciously or intentionally.
How Long You Have to File a Product Liability Claim in Oklahoma City
It is important to know that in Oklahoma, you have a limited time to file a product liability lawsuit. Under state law, you only have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim for damages. Your product liability attorney at BDIW Law will ensure your lawsuit is filed in a timely manner.
Retain an Oklahoma City Product Liability Attorney Today
If you were injured through the use of an unsafe product, do not wait to reach out to a product liability lawyer at BDIW Law. We can provide you with the best opportunity to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your potential Oklahoma City product liability claim.
