Most people use electrical appliances every day. Whether it’s a coffee machine in the morning, a toaster at lunchtime, or a washing machine in the evening, electrical appliances are important for daily life. A defective product could create a serious problem and danger for its users. If you were injured due to a faulty electrical appliance you may be able to sue the manufacturer. Speak with a Kane County product liability lawyer today to obtain representation during your case.
Types of Product Defects
There are nearly unlimited ways that a product can become defective depending on the type of appliance and the issues that occurred during production. The following are the standard categories of product defects that can lead to liability for the manufacturer.
- Design: Design defects occur when there is a flaw in the appliance’s design that makes it inherently unsafe regardless of how it is manufactured. If the product wasn’t tested properly or was rushed there may be a design flaw that causes the product to malfunction.
- Manufacturing: Manufacturing defects happen after the design stage is completed when the products are being created. Manufacturing defects generally only affect certain batches or a few units of the product. For example, if one machine wasn’t working properly then a batch of the appliance may have faulty wiring, while the other units that did not see the machine may be fine.
- Marketing: Marketing defects can also be known as failure to warn or instruction defects. This occurs when the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings and instructions regarding the safe use of their products. Many electrical appliances can be risky to use due to their reliance on electricity. If the potential danger and safest way to utilize the product are not explained to the consumer it could cause damage.
How Can I Sue a Manufacturer for a Faulty Electrical Appliance?
It is possible to sue a manufacturer for a faulty electrical appliance. Manufacturers can be held liable for injuries and damages caused by their products under certain product liability laws like the following.
- Consumers can sue for negligence if they can prove that the manufacturer did not use reasonable care when designing, manufacturing, or marketing the product. Manufacturers are responsible for exercising reasonable care so if the company is negligent or reckless they can be held liable.
- Any breach of warranty can be a valid reason for legal action. If the manufacturer breaches a written or implied warranty in any way the consumer has the right to sue.
- Manufacturers can be held strictly liable for defects in their products. This means that even if they were not negligent in any step of the manufacturing process, they can still be held responsible if the product is defective and causes harm.
If any of the above liability laws apply to your situation you may be able to pursue legal action. With the help of an attorney, you must prove that the appliance was defective in some way, that you suffered an injury or damage, and that the use of the defective appliance directly caused your injury or damage. Contact a skilled IL product liability lawyer today to begin discussing your situation.
