Cambridge Product Liability Attorney
Consumers trust that the products they purchase are safe to use. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In some instances, defective products can cause severe injury or even death, leaving victims and their families coping with physical, emotional, and financial distress. In Cambridge, MA, product liability lawsuits serve as a vital legal avenue for those injured by dangerous or defective products, helping them seek justice and compensation for their losses.
At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping Cambridge residents understand their rights under product liability law. Our experienced product liability attorneys are here to guide victims through the complexities of filing a claim and holding negligent manufacturers accountable. Our Cambridge personal injury attorneys provide an overview of product liability lawsuits, including key concepts, the different types of claims, and how Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers can assist in your case.
What is Product Liability?Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers for any harm caused by defective products they sell to consumers. Under Massachusetts law, you can file a product liability lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries if you have been injured due to a defective product.
In Cambridge and throughout Massachusetts, product liability claims can be brought under several legal theories:
- Strict Liability: Under strict liability, a manufacturer or seller can be held liable for a defective product, regardless of whether they were negligent. This means that even if the company took reasonable care in designing or manufacturing the product, it could still be responsible if the product is found to be defective and causes injury.
- Negligence: A negligence claim involves proving that the manufacturer or seller failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacturing, or marketing of the product, leading to the injury. This may include failing to conduct proper testing or ignoring known risks.
- Breach of Warranty: A warranty claim arises when a product does not perform as advertised or reasonably expected. These claims are often based on express warranties (written guarantees) or implied warranties (assumed safety and performance standards).
Product liability claims typically fall into one of three categories, depending on the nature of the defect:
- Design Defects: A design defect occurs when a product is inherently unsafe due to its design, even if it is manufactured correctly. In these cases, the entire line of products may be dangerous, posing a risk to all users. A design defect lawsuit may arise if an alternative, safer design could have been used without significantly affecting the product’s cost or functionality.
- Manufacturing Defects: Manufacturing defects occur during production, meaning the product may deviate from its intended design. Only a specific batch or individual items may be defective in these cases. Examples of manufacturing defects include faulty assembly, using substandard materials, or errors in the production process.
- Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn): Marketing defects, also known as failure-to-warn defects, occur when a manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions about a product’s risks or proper usage. These defects often involve products that may be dangerous if misused or if there are hidden dangers that consumers would not reasonably expect.
Product liability lawsuits can involve a wide range of consumer goods, including:
- Automobiles and Vehicle Parts: Defective car parts, such as faulty airbags, brakes, or tires, can lead to catastrophic accidents and injuries.
- Household Appliances: Defective kitchen appliances, heaters, or electrical equipment can cause fires, explosions, or electrocution.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Prescription drugs with undisclosed side effects or defective medical devices like pacemakers or hip replacements can result in severe injuries or complications.
- Children’s Toys and Products: Toys with choking hazards, toxic materials, or poorly designed safety features can pose a significant risk to children.
- Industrial Equipment: Defective machinery or safety equipment can result in serious workplace injuries.
We have experience handling a broad spectrum of product liability cases at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. We understand the significant impact these injuries can have on your life and are committed to securing fair compensation for our clients.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Liability Case?Determining who is responsible for a defective product can be complex, as multiple parties may be involved in bringing the product to market. Potentially liable parties in a product liability case include:
- Manufacturers: The company that designs and produces the product is often the primary defendant in product liability cases.
- Distributors and Wholesalers: Companies that distribute products to retailers may be held liable if they knowingly sell defective products.
- Retailers: Stores that sell defective products can also be held responsible, even if they did not manufacture the item themselves.
In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility for the defective product, allowing plaintiffs to pursue compensation from multiple sources.
Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit in Cambridge, MAIf you have been injured by a defective product in Cambridge, you may be entitled to file a product liability lawsuit. However, these cases can be legally complex, requiring thorough investigation, expert testimony, and a deep understanding of product liability laws.
Here are the key steps involved in filing a product liability claim:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety should be your top priority. If a defective product has injured you, seek immediate medical attention and document your injuries.
- Preserve Evidence: If possible, keep the defective product as evidence. Avoid tampering with the item, as this could affect your case. Take photographs of the product and your injuries, and keep any packaging, receipts, or manuals related to the product.
- Consult an Attorney: Product liability cases require specific expertise. An experienced product liability lawyer can help you assess your case, gather evidence, and determine the appropriate legal strategy.
- File a Claim: Your attorney will help you file a product liability claim against the responsible parties. In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally three years from the date of injury, so it is important to act quickly.
- Negotiate or Litigate: Many product liability cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may advise proceeding to trial to secure the compensation you deserve.
Victims of defective products may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Wrongful death (if a defective product caused a fatality)
At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we understand that no amount of compensation can undo the harm caused by a defective product. However, we are dedicated to helping our clients recover the financial support they need to move forward with their lives.
Why Choose Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers?Product liability cases can be daunting for victims and their families. At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we are committed to providing personalized, compassionate legal representation to residents of Cambridge, MA. Our team of experienced attorneys has a proven track record of holding negligent manufacturers accountable and securing maximum compensation for our clients.
If a defective product has injured you or a loved one, don't hesitate to contact us. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay unless we win your case. Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today to discuss your legal options and take the first step toward justice. Call us for a free consultation at (617)-777-7777.