Atlanta Product Liability Lawyers

Injured by a Defective Product? Call Now for a FREE Consultation

Consumers have certain expectations when buying products placed into the stream of commerce. Manufacturers generally have one goal in mind: profits. While there are Federal and State regulations that set the rules and standards to help make products safer for consumers, the reality is each day innocent consumers are injured by the negligent manufacture, design, or marketing of products.

If you or a loved one was injured by a defective product, it's important to understand your rights as a victim. Our experienced Atlanta product liability attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can assess your case to determine your legal options and assist you in filing a product liability claim in Georgia.

Request yourFREE legal consultation when you call (888) 425-6070.

Types of Product Defects

When parties including manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers, make products available to the public which cause injury or damage, they may be held liable for the resulting loss. This product liability may arise as a result of a variety of circumstances. There may be a defect in the manufacturing process or a defect in the product’s design. It could also result from the party’s failure to warn the public regarding a non-obvious but inherent dangers associated with the product. In some instances, a party may be held liable for product liability based on consumer protection laws which provide specific remedies for certain types of product defects such as, lemon laws for automobiles.

There are three main types of defects that are involved in product liability claims:

• Manufacturing Defects - A manufacturing defect involves an error in the way a product was fabricated, causing the product to not work as intended. Deviation from specifications can include anything from using subpar materials to using the wrong measurements—anything that results in the final product being unsafe to use.
• Design Defects - Design defects involve an error or defect in the way a product is designed. Even if the product was manufactured correctly in accordance with all specifications, there is still something about the product's design that makes it inherently dangerous to use.
• Marketing (or Packaging) Defects - Marketing defects typically involve the failure to adequately warn of the dangers that may be associated with a product’s use. In some instances, even the improper use of a product can result in a successful liability claim, if the use should have been anticipated.

What Does it Mean When a Company Issues a Product Recall?

A product recall can minimize litigation expenses and help protect a company’s reputation. A party that realizes that there may be an issue with their product that can lead to product liability may take proactive steps to minimize their legal liability and exposure to lawsuits. This can help save the company money as well as, minimize damage to their reputation. One way to do this is to initiate a voluntary product recall.

A product recall provides the public with notification regarding the product’s defects and requests that the public no longer use the product. Often, a company that issues a product recall will replace the defective product and/or pay for injuries or damages caused by the product.

In some circumstances, companies may be required to issue a product recall by the consumer production agency that oversees the type of product at issue. However, not all product recalls are voluntary. In some cases, companies are ordered to recall their product because it fails to meet the minimum standards set by the federal or state consumer protection agency responsible for overseeing the defective product.

These consumer protection agencies include the following:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Consumer protection agencies learn of defective products by tracking and investigating consumer complaints and other data that help reveal when a product is defective and hazardous to the public.

Atlanta Product Liability Attorneys Backed by $600MM in Recoveries

If you have been injured as a result of a defective product that has been recalled, you should contact an attorney immediately. An attorney can review the facts of your case and determine whether you may have a viable product liability case. If so, your attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Our firm handles all types of product liability cases, including but not limited to:

• Automobile defects
• Dangerous baby products
• Dangerous drugs
• Defective guardrails
• Defective medical products & devices
• Defective swimming pool & spa drains

For a free consultation, contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC to speak with a product liability lawyer in Atlanta.