Law Blog

When you buy a product, you trust that it's been tested, approved, and safe to use. But what happens when that trust is broken, and an everyday item causes serious harm?

Whether it’s a kitchen appliance that catches fire, a faulty seatbelt, or contaminated food, you may have a product liability claim. At Sherwood Law Group, we help victims of defective products understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability is an area of personal injury law that holds manufacturers, designers, and sellers accountable when a product causes harm due to a defect. If you’ve been injured because something didn’t work as it should, you may have legal grounds to file a claim.
Depending on the case, any party in the chain of distribution may be held liable, including:

• The manufacturer of the product or its parts
• The product designer, if the issue stems from the way it was engineered
• The retailer or distributor that sold the item to you

These cases fall under different types of personal injury cases and often involve thorough investigations to determine where the failure occurred.

Real-World Examples of Product Injuries

Product liability cases are more common than most people realize. Here are a few real-life scenarios:

• A child is injured by a toy that contains small, detachable parts not clearly labeled as choking hazards.
• A consumer suffers burns when a battery in a smartphone or e-bike explodes unexpectedly.
• A driver is severely hurt when an airbag fails to deploy during a collision.
• A patient experiences internal injuries due to a defective medical implant.

Even items we use every day, like cosmetics, tools, or food, can lead to serious health complications if improperly made or tested.

What Should You Do After a Product Injury?

If you’ve been harmed by a defective product, taking immediate and intentional steps can help preserve your case. Here’s what we recommend:

Save the Product and All Packaging

Keep the defective item, original packaging, and any instructions, receipts, or manuals. These materials can provide vital evidence in your case.

Document the Incident

Take photos of your injuries, the product, and where the incident occurred. Detailed visuals help show how the item malfunctioned.

Get Medical Treatment

Always seek medical attention—your health comes first. Documentation from your doctor can later support your claim for damages.

Collect Statements from Witnesses
If anyone saw what happened, ask them to write down their account or be willing to speak later. Witnesses can strengthen your case by confirming the sequence of events.

Contact an Attorney Immediately

Before returning or throwing anything away, talk to a legal professional. During your first meeting with your lawyer, bring everything you’ve saved and documented so they can assess your case clearly and thoroughly.

How Liability Is Determined

To prove a product liability case, we must show:

• The product was defective.
• The defect caused your injury.
• You were using the product as intended.

There are three main types of product defects:

1. Design defects – inherent flaws in the product’s blueprint.
2. Manufacturing defects – mistakes during the assembly or production process.
3. Marketing defects – such as inadequate warnings or unclear instructions.

Each case is unique, and in some situations, manufacturers may attempt to pursue alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration or mediation, to avoid court. These options can work in your favor, but they require strategic negotiation and legal expertise.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

Product liability cases can be technical, lengthy, and difficult to navigate alone. At Sherwood Law Group, we bring deep experience in both litigation and alternative dispute resolution, and we’re committed to holding negligent companies accountable.

We also understand that no two cases are the same. That’s why we take the time during your first meeting with your lawyer to explore every angle, whether it involves a single defective item or a larger class action.

Contact Sherwood Law Group Today

If a defective product has injured you, don’t wait to find out your options. From product recalls to unexplained injuries, let Sherwood Law Group help you understand your rights and fight for the justice you deserve.

Call Sherwood Law Group at 312-627-1650 or visit www.sherwoodlawgroup.com to schedule your free consultation.

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