Injured By A Defective Product?
We routinely represent individuals who have been seriously injured by dangerous and defective products. We have substantial experience in products liability law and have practiced in this area of the law for over 30 years. We have been against some of the largest product manufacturers in the world and have participated in multiple substantial recoveries from settlement and jury verdict.
Our results speak for themselves, check out our client testimonials and then contact us at [email protected] or 908-228-2695.
Most of us assume that products must be safe if they’re offered for sale at a reputable store. As thousands of Americans discover each year, reputation and regulation aren’t always enough to guarantee that a product is safe. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency charged with overseeing the safety of most products sold in the U.S., recalls hundreds of products each year due to safety concerns. The agency’s statistics indicate that defective consumer products caused 176 deaths and more than 19,000 hospitalizations in 2007.
Defective consumer products are not just a nuisance and a waste of money; they can cause preventable deaths, toxic exposures and other very serious injuries.
Which Products Cause The Most Serious Problems?
Nearly any product can be defective. However, some of the most serious product defects include:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Age-inappropriate toys or jewelry that can cause choking hazards or expose children to toxic chemicals or poisons such as lead
- Unsafe tanning beds
- Contaminated food or food poisoning
- Unsafe prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs
- Highly flammable home furnishings or clothing
- Lack of safeguards, crush injuries, lacerations, amputations or safety equipment
- Lack of safety warnings and inadequate instructions resulting in injury
Defective products aren’t just those used in our homes; they can also find us at work. Office workers can be exposed to chemicals, and electrocution from computer and other equipment. Industrial, construction or manufacturing jobs often involve equipment that can be dangerous even when used correctly. Common product injuries in the workplace include those caused by:
- Punch press injuries resulting in amputations and crush injuries
- Machine equipment, forklifts, pallet jacks, etc., that are poorly maintained, designed or constructed
- Construction equipment defects
- Escalator and elevator defects and injuries
- Defective or deficient safety equipment
- Ergonomic injuries
A workplace injury caused by a defective product can give rise to more than one legal claim. In New Jersey, injured workers may have the right to pursue a product liability claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim.
What To Do After Being Injured By A Defective Product
The product that caused your injury can serve as critical evidence in a product liability claim. Repairing, discarding or altering it before you obtain legal guidance can significantly harm your case. Keeping the product in its current condition gives your attorney the best opportunity to build a strong case.
If a defective product has injured you in New Jersey, here are the steps you should take right away:
- Seek medical attention: Visit a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible, even if your injuries appear minor at first.
- Preserve the product: Do not repair, discard or substantially alter the product. Minimal cleaning for safety is acceptable, but photograph it first.
- Keep receipts, packaging and instructions: These documents help establish purchase details and the manufacturer’s intended use, though they are not always required.
- Document your injuries: Write down a detailed account of what happened, including the date, time, location and circumstances of the incident.
- Take photographs: Photograph your injuries, the product and any visible damage as soon as possible after the incident.
- Save relevant communications: Preserve any emails, texts or letters you exchanged with the manufacturer, retailer or any other party connected to the product.
At Strauss Law Offices, LLC, we understand that a product liability claim involves far more than paperwork. Our team investigates the full circumstances of your injury, from the defective product itself to the medical impact it had on your life. With three decades of experience in New Jersey product liability law, we have a deep understanding of the medical dimensions of serious injuries.
New Jersey Law Is Strict
Fortunately, New Jersey law imposes strict liability upon manufacturers for the injuries their products cause. You may hold companies liable for an inherently faulty design, flaws or contamination introduced during manufacturing, inadequate safeguards, shortcomings in warnings of potential danger and/or due to insufficient and incorrect instructions.
In a New Jersey defective products lawsuit, you can be awarded compensation for a serious injury, permanent disability or wrongful death, as well as to pay medical bills, compensate for lost wages and for other costs related to your accident. We also seek to make sure that the wrongdoer is held responsible and that fairness result.
Contact An Experienced New Jersey Attorney
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a defective or dangerous product, please contact Strauss Law Offices, LLC, and we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your case.