If you or another family member suffered injuries because of a defective product, Wyoming law entitles you to seek compensation for damages in a product liability lawsuit against the negligent company. Product liability claims are notoriously complex, making it in your best interest to hire a qualified product liability lawyer who understands how to apply the law to your situation. The skilled legal team at Ochs Law Firm understands the challenges you face in the wake of a defective product injury, and we are here to help. Contact us today online or at (307) 739-3959 for a free consultation to discuss the details of your case and determine the best strategy going forward.
Ochs Law Firm Advocates for Injured Consumers
The product liability lawyers at Ochs Law Firm have extensive experience fighting for clients who suffered injuries from defective products. In a recent case, the legal team at Ochs Law Firm helped clients recover almost four million in damages for a defective product that caused blindness in consumers. This is only one example and does not guarantee a specific financial outcome for your product liability claim.
However, the experienced legal team at Ochs Law Firm will aggressively pursue the best outcome for your situation. We pride ourselves on exceptional client service that includes:
- Thorough investigation and research concerning the details of your product liability claim.
- A clear strategy and plan of action for litigation.
- Professional advice on potential outcomes for your claim.
- Legal counsel that is by your side until justice has been served.
You deserve to have someone on your side to help you get compensation when you suffer harm due to product manufacturer negligence.
What Is a Defective Product?
Product liability lawsuits are all about defective products. You’ve surely bought something that hasn’t worked properly or the way it was advertised. In many cases, a defective product is a nuisance that ends up in the trash or with you requesting a refund from the store where you purchased it. Yet, not all products that do not work are defective from a legal standpoint. Product defects fall under three broad categories: design, manufacturing, and information defects. If the product that caused your injuries has any one of these defects, you have the legal right to sue for damages.
Design Defects
From automobiles to medical devices to toys, every new product goes through a design stage where engineers create the concept of a product, similar to blueprints for construction. A company has an idea, creates a plan, creates a sample or prototype. A defective design means that the conception of the product is dangerous to consumers. Sometimes companies discover design defects during manufacturing, but other times consumers suffer before a manufacturer discovers a design defect.
Manufacturing Defects
After a company designs a product, they make it. This, of course, means many things depending on the type of product. Production can mean putting something together or actually making it, such as food products, diet supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Defects that occur during production are called manufacturing defects. The concept or the design of the product was safe, but something happened during manufacturing that decreased the safety of the product. Examples of scenarios that can lead to manufacturing defects include:
- Poor quality ingredients or materials
- One or more bad pieces or parts
- Assembly mistakes
- Construction mistakes
- Equipment malfunction
- Damages during transport or shipping
Information/Marketing Defects
Information or marketing defects encompass a wide range of situations that put consumers in danger of accident, injury, and death. Information defects occur when packing a product or distributing a product to retailers and/or consumers. When companies make consumer goods, they legally must provide instructions for some products and warn of any potential hazards. Failing to provide information or warn consumers open companies to liability for damages when injuries or death occurs. Examples of information or marketing defects include failing to provide instructions for use or assembly, improper labeling, and inadequate warnings about the dangers of using a product. A professional product liability lawyer can help you navigate through all of these various circumstances.
Types of Product Liability Cases
Product Liability cases broadly involve defective products. However, some categories of product defects occur more frequently and are more likely to lead to injuries. At Ochs Law Firm, we have a knowledgeable team of product liability lawyers to represent clients in all types of product liability cases. We often see the following types of claims:
Automotive Defects
When passenger vehicles have defects, the results can be deadly. Unfortunately, automakers and auto parts manufacturers introduce defective vehicles and defective parts to the market all the time. To avoid litigation, auto manufacturers frequently make recalls to fix any defective issues, but the government does not typically force a recall. In some cases, auto companies know about a defect and choose not to implement a costly recall. In some situations, companies do not know about the defect until someone gets hurt or dies from an accident caused by a defective car or car part. Our firm helps injured people recover losses when negligent automakers are responsible for injuries.
Consumer Fraud
When companies intentionally defraud consumers, the financial, emotional, and sometimes physical damage they cause opens them to product liability lawsuits. Fraud sometimes includes practices such as false advertising and bait and switch. If an unethical company has lied to you, tricked you, or withheld critical information about using their products, the skilled lawyers at Ochs Law Firm can help you hold the company accountable for their consumer fraud.
Defective Medical Devices
Technology has led to amazing advances in medicine. Many rely on medical devices to keep them alive or maintain a better quality of life. Medical devices typically do more good than harm. When doctors have implanted the device correctly, problems with a device typically stem from design or manufacturing defects. Those who receive defective medical devices often face one or more corrective surgeries and sometimes suffer considerable damage due to the defective device. Ochs Law Firm, and their team of product liability lawyers, take action against device manufacturers to recover losses for their clients and prevent future injuries.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is often inconvenient, and diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea that come with it typically go away on their own within 24 hours. Yet, severe food poisoning can be life-threatening and fatal. Those exposed to contaminated food sometimes face permanent organ damage and might even end up in a coma. Food manufacturers and grocery retailers are responsible for providing items that are safe for consumption and free from dangerous bacteria. At Ochs Law Firm, our product liability attorneys will investigate food poisoning to learn who is responsible for the illness, when exposure occurred, and how the illness was transmitted to pursue compensation for damages from the responsible party.
Defective Pharmaceuticals
Unfortunately, defective drugs can lead to dangerous side effects that sometimes cause permanent damage or lead to death. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to adhere to a strict development and approval process before a specific drug is allowed on the market. Yet, some companies take shortcuts or get approval to go through a fast-track approval process. Some drug companies leave out important information about side effects, minimize dangerous effects found in clinical trials, or simply choose not to report them at all. In many cases, the benefits of a particular prescription drug outweigh the costs. However, when doctors and consumers do not have all the information because of negligent pharmaceutical companies, patients suffer. If you suffered severe side effects from prescription or over-the-counter medicine, our diligent team is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Compensation for Damages in Product Liability Cases
If you seek compensation for damages from a negligent manufacturer, your attorney will guide you through the legal process. In most cases, you can expect negotiations for a settlement if for no other reason than a particular company wants to avoid bad press. However, many companies fight to avoid paying out a settlement, so going to trial is a real possibility. Regardless of whether you settle or litigate, you could receive compensation for the following damages related to your injuries and accompanying losses:
- Medical treatment costs including ambulance and emergency room treatment, surgery, diagnostic scans, lab tests, prescription medication, and travel to and from the doctor
- Estimated future medical expenses when a defective auto, drug, or other product causes permanent injuries that require ongoing care and treatment
- Rehabilitation expenses when applicable, including specialized treatment such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy
- Lost wages for any time missed at work
- Estimated lost future wages, referred to as lost earning capacity when permanent product liability injuries prevent you from returning to work or seeking gainful employment in the future
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium if applicable
- Scarring and disfigurement, especially applicable to burns from explosions, fires, and toxic chemicals
If a product defect led to the loss of a loved one, you likely have grounds to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer or other responsible party in a product’s chain of distribution. Eligible family members who take legal action can receive compensation for some damages listed above, funeral expenses, and damages specific to your relationship with the deceased. Your lawyer can answer specific questions about wrongful death related to defective products.
Contact a Product Liability Lawyer from Ochs Law Firm
Serious injuries are costly and sometimes create a massive economic burden for injured victims and their families. This only adds to the physical and emotional pain of injury and recovery. You should not have to suffer financially when a negligent company puts something dangerous on the market for consumers. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, our law firm wants to hear your story to help you obtain maximum compensation. Get your most urgent questions about your injury case with a free consultation now. Contact Ochs Law Firm today online or at (307)739-3959 to learn more.
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