Bellevue Product Liability Lawyers

Legal Help for Victims Injured by Dangerous Products in Bellevue

Residents of Bellevue, like the rest of world, rely on retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers to provide the products they need to live, such as furniture, household appliances, and prescription medications. Manufacturers and sellers of consumer products have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are safe for use by the public. When their products cause injury, these parties can be held accountable.

If you or your loved one has been injured by a dangerous product, speak with an experienced Bellevue product liability attorney about a claim for compensation.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability refers to holding manufacturers or sellers legally responsible for placing defective products in consumers’ hands. Liability for product defects that cause injury lies with any party in the product’s distribution chain. This may include manufacturers of component parts, assembling manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

What Types of Defects Can Lead to Product Liability Claims?

For product liability purposes, a product can be defective in any of three ways:

• Design defects: This refers to a flaw inherent in the design of the product before it was manufactured that makes the product unreasonable dangerous to use.
• Manufacturing defects: These defects can occur during the process of producing or constructing the product.
• Marketing defects: Products can be unsafe for use by the general public if manufacturers fail to provide proper instructions for their safe use or to warn consumers of latent dangers.

What Types of Products Can Cause Serious Injuries?

In 2021, consumer product injuries in the U.S. totaled 11,738,091, as stated by the National Safety Council (NSC). Many different types of defective products can cause serious injuries. Examples include:

• Auto parts, such as brakes, ignition switches, seatbelts, tires, and airbags
• Children’s products, such as car seats, bedding, and toys
• Medical products, such as dangerous medications, defective implants, and faulty surgical tools
• Household appliances, such as coffee makers and toasters, which can cause fires or electrocutions when defective
• Chemicals and cleaning products without proper warning labels that can cause poisoning or burn injuries

NSC reports that the top three consumer products for causing product-related injuries are:

• Stairs, ramps, landings, and floors: 2.7 million injuries
• Beds, pillows, and mattresses: 824,000 injuries
• Chairs, sofas, and sofa beds: 558,000 injuries

Among children ages zero to four, the products that cause the most injuries are: soaps and detergents (11,698 injuries); TV sets and stands (6,519 injuries); and cooking ranges, ovens, etc. (6,097 injuries).

What Types of Injuries Do Defective Products Cause?

Defective consumer products can cause serious injury in many different ways. For example:

• Defective motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters can cause serious head injuries to riders.
• Household appliances with faulty wiring can burst into flames, causing users to suffer severe burns.
• Dangerous drugs placed on the market can have serious side effects not shown on warning labels, such as damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, or brain.
• Defective furniture items such as highchairs that suddenly break and collapse can cause falls and fractured bones.
• Children’s toys with small parts that break off easily can lead to choking and possibly a child’s death.

How Is Product Liability Determined in Bellevue?

Strict liability applies to product liability cases. If a defective product causes injury, the manufacturer and any party in the distribution chain can be held liable. There is no need to prove that the defendant was negligent.

If you or your child has been injured by a defective product, an experienced Bellevue personal injury lawyer at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. can help. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively pursue full compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Call us to schedule a free consultation at (402) 505-8234.