When consumers buy products, they expect the products to work. The reason for the purchase is to make something easier or more enjoyable or to complete a necessary task. When those products are defective, consumers are disappointed at best and seriously–perhaps even fatally–injured at worst.
A Tulsa personal injury lawyer can help when you or someone you love is injured by a defective product. To get the settlement you need to recover the damages caused by that product and partner with a Tulsa product liability lawyer from BDIW. When someone else’s negligence costs you, you deserve full and fair compensation.
Determining Who Is Responsible in a Tulsa Product Liability Case
Consumers have the right to expect products to perform the function they claim to do and to be safe. Manufacturers are responsible for creating products free of defects, that will not malfunction unexpectedly, that work according to the directions and descriptions provided, and that come with clear, informative notices regarding any potential risks. When a consumer is injured by a product, a product liability lawyer in Tulsa will investigate the situation to determine the party responsible for that injury.
While manufacturers may seem the obvious party-at-fault, and sometimes are, there are other possibilities.
- A component manufacturer: Complex products, like cars, comprise a variety of elements or systems produced by different manufacturers
- The product assembler or installer: A product–a car airbag, for example–may be without defect. If not installed properly, it may not deploy or may deploy at the wrong time or at the wrong speed or angle
- Product distributors: Those who distribute products can be found negligent. For example, they may not inspect the product or give instructions for use not supported by the manufacturer’s warning
- Wholesalers and Retailers: Though retailers buy from wholesalers, either party may be culpable in product liability cases if they do not properly inspect the products they sell to consumers
Product liability cases and laws (12-832.1) are complicated as there are many potentially responsible parties, and each of those parties will work hard to blame “someone else.” Rather than get tangled in those complications, trust your case to a Tulsa product liability attorney in Tulsa. With years of experience and a comprehensive understanding of Oklahoma’s product liability laws, your attorney will work to untangle those complications with efficiency.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYThe Best Time to Partner with a Tulsa Product Liability Attorney
For personal injury cases, such as a product liability case, the best time to partner with an attorney is–as soon as possible. Your attorney can gather evidence while it is still available when given prompt access to your case. Further, your attorney will give you immediate and ongoing guidance, preventing you from saying anything that could be used against you or overlooking details important to your claim.
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations is also a reason to secure representation quickly. Under Oklahoma Statute 12-95, victims have a two-year window to file an injury claim against a negligent party. When you connect with an attorney right away, your attorney has time to carry out a thorough investigation well within that legal deadline.
The sooner your attorney starts work on your case, the sooner you can see financial relief and justice. There is no “set” time for how long an injury case takes, and those who settle out of court wrap up more quickly than those requiring a trial. That said, the team at BDIW knows how to navigate the legal system and will move your case along as swiftly as possible.
Why Product Liability Cases Go to Trial
Most product liability cases, and all personal injury cases, are settled out-of-court and through negotiations. Your product liability attorney in Tulsa will send a settlement demand to the at-fault party’s representatives. They will respond, usually countering with a lower offer, and this back-and-forth continues until both sides agree on an amount.
Sometimes, the at-fault party refuses to make a fair offer or intentionally slows down the negotiation process. Should this happen in your case, your attorney will present you with all your options. If you choose to go to trial, BDIW will continue to provide you with bold, superior representation in all legal proceedings.
Types of Injuries in Product Liability Cases
Any product has the potential to fail, and product liability cases cover the full spectrum of products. From adorable children’s toys to sleek automobiles, defective products cause damage. Just as the products cover a spectrum, so do resulting injuries.
When car brakes fail, life-changing injuries or fatalities can result. Poorly designed medical equipment, such as defibrillators or contraceptive implants, can fail to perform as intended or cause internal injuries. Children’s toys can pose choking hazards.
Hair-styling products can overheat and cause burns. Lawn-care equipment and power tools may come without adequate warnings, leading to lacerations or amputations and disfigurement. The possibilities, unfortunately, are endless.
Collecting Damages
The settlement you collect depends on several factors, including the extent and severity of your injuries, wages lost during recovery, future lost wages if you cannot go back to work, medical costs and future care, and other expenses incurred by your injuries. You can also seek financial acknowledgment of your physical pain, emotional suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life. Your attorney will assess your losses carefully and seek the highest settlement possible.
The at-fault party’s representatives will probably try to convince you to accept less than you deserve. Do not speak with these representatives or give them any opportunity to intimidate you, twist your words, or coerce you into accepting a lowball offer. Your Tulsa product liability attorney will manage these discussions for you and with your best interests at heart.
We Are Ready to Get to Work
Though product manufacturers and sellers like to say “the customer is always right,” that adage goes out the window when a customer tries to hold those parties accountable for designing, producing, or selling defective products that ultimately cause injury. When that happens, the customer is suddenly wrong.
But you are not wrong for seeking compensation from negligent parties, and BDIW is here to help you get what you deserve. Call or send us a message to arrange a free consultation with an experienced, knowledgeable Tulsa product liability lawyer. Your attorney will fight to hold liable parties accountable and show just how right you are.
