Millions of Americans are affected by consumer product injuries each year while simply using or interacting with a product intended for personal or household use. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission tracks product recalls and educates the public on consumer product safety.
What Makes a Product Defective?
Consumer product injuries can result from defects in the design, manufacturing, or labeling of a product:
- Design defects: Flaws in the initial design of a product that make it inherently unsafe for its intended use.
- Manufacturing defects: Issues that arise during the manufacturing process, leading to a product that deviates from its intended design and becomes unsafe.
- Labeling or marketing defects: Inadequate warnings, instructions, or safety information provided with the product that can lead to improper use and subsequent injury.
Consumer product injuries can range from minor injuries, such as cuts or bruises, to more severe injuries that may result in long-term disability or even death. Common examples of consumer product injuries include injuries caused by defective automobiles, faulty household appliances, dangerous toys, or unsafe pharmaceuticals.
In many jurisdictions, there are regulations and laws in place to protect consumers from unsafe products. Manufacturers and distributors may be held liable for injuries caused by their products, and consumers may have the right to seek compensation through legal means. Consumer protection agencies and product safety standards also play a role in preventing and addressing product-related injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured because of a defective product, seek guidance from an experienced products liability lawyer in your area.
Consumer Product Injuries Increase for Second Consecutive Year
According to data from injurfacts.nsc.org, there has been an increase in consumer product injuries the last two years in a row. Following an 18 percent decrease* and record low number of consumer product-related injuries reported in 2020 due to Covid-19 shelter-in-place restrictions, injuries increased 6.8 percent in 2021 and 7.8 percent in 2022.
*It is important to note that these numbers are based on consumer product injuries that were treated in emergency departments so it’s possible that numbers were higher during Covid-19 restrictions but that people were choosing not to go to hospitals for treatment.
In 2022, 12.7 million people were treated in emergency departments for injuries resulting from consumer products. Most of the injuries involved everyday products that people assume are safe including beds, dressers, and common appliances.
Product liability law
Defective and dangerous products cause thousands of injuries every year. If you or a loved one was injured by a defective product, contact a product liability attorney today. A skilled defective products lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for your injury.
In product liability cases that recover damages, a product manufacturer, distributor, or seller is held liable for the injuries caused by the defective or dangerous product. Product liability laws vary by state but generally require that a product meet ordinary consumer expectations that a product be free of defects or dangers. When a product fails to meet this threshold, the negligent parties could end up on the receiving end of a product liability lawsuit.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
