Every day in the United States, people purchase goods and products ranging from electronics to groceries to household supplies. People purchase products never expecting them to cause harm.
But unfortunately, thousands of defective products are released into the marketplace every year, often resulting in serious injuries or death. If a family member has suffered a death as a result of a defective product, you may file a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer.
Common Types of Defective Products
Defective products can come in any shape or form, and the defect is often not detectable from appearances alone. Types of defective products may include the following.
- defective medical devices.
- defective airbags.
- defective tires.
- defective cribs.
- defective seat belts.
- defective machinery.
- defective toys.
- and, defective electronics and household appliances.
Common categories of defective products are cars or car parts, medical devices, consumer products, children’s products, and industrial products. Examples of defects may include a child’s toy manufactured with lead, a tire that experiences rapid air loss, an airbag that won’t inflate during a crash, a crib that collapses on a child, and more.
Product Liability Law
Product liability law protects consumers from defective products. Product liability law refers to the law that holds a product manufacturer liable for any defects that cause harm to the consumer. As such, if your deceased loved one died as a result of a defective product, and if the death would have not occurred but for the product, then the product manufacturer may be liable.
Product liability claims are typically classified into three different types of claims.
- defectively manufactured products.
- defectively designed products.
- and, the failure of the product manufacturer to provide adequate instructions or warning about the product’s dangers.
An attorney can help you understand each type of claim, and assist you in pursuing the one that is fitting for your case.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Like product liability, the law also allows the family members of a deceased person to pursue a civil suit. In the state of Pennsylvania, those who can benefit from a wrongful death suit include the following.
- spouse of the deceased.
- the children of the deceased.
- the parents of the deceased.
- and, surviving beneficiaries.
Typically, damages may be awarded to surviving family members/beneficiaries in the following forms.
- funeral expenses.
- lost wages.
- medical expenses prior to death.
- loss of consortium/companionship.
- and, pain and suffering.
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death suit is two years from the date of death, according to Pennsylvania Code Chapter 42 Section 5524. Therefore, if you want to file a wrongful death case caused by a defective product, seek the help of an attorney immediately.
How an Attorney Can Help with a Defective Product Wrongful Death Case
A legal professional can do many things after a faulty product injury.
- provide you with more information about the complexities of product liability and wrongful death law.
- guide you through the process of filing your claim.
- and, provide you with more information as the family members of the victim of a defective product.
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, our attorneys are ready to work to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve after a wrongful death in Doylestown that’s related to a defective product. While nothing can replace the death of your loved one, a lawsuit can provide you with the financial means you need to handle medical bills and funeral expenses. To get started on filing your claim today, call us now at 215-642-2335 or use our online contact form to set up a consultation.
