I ordered makeup for my daughter for her birthday and it arrived all broken, with powder everywhere. We ordered a replacement set and it, too, arrived broken. But as frustrating as it is when something you want arrives broken (and twice is that much worse), sometimes products you get are defective but not necessarily obvious at first and they can hurt you. If that happens to you, here's what you will need to do.
From Christmas decorations to the gift you give and receive, there are a lot of new items that could cause significant harm to you or your family. One of the most common types of defective products that consumers receive is toys. Unfortunately, consumer electronics are also quite common, especially these days because technology is evolving so fast.
While retailer stores try their best to pull any defective items from their shelves, sometimes these products slip through the net, so awareness is often made to ensure that shoppers have a safe Christmas. However, accidents do happen, so what do you do if you have an injury caused by a defective product? Here are a few things you can do.
Seek Medical Attention
When you have an injury from a defective product, it is important to seek medical attention. If the injury is not treated, there is a chance that it can worsen or even cause an infection. When you buy a product, be sure to read the fine print. In many cases, companies will not cover injuries from defective products unless you have purchased a warranty.
See Search For A Recall
When you find a defective product that has already been recalled, you should immediately contact the retailer. This is because companies are legally required to report these faulty products to the manufacturer.
If you find a product that is not on the recall list, it is also possible that it never had an official recall issued by the manufacturer. However, you should still contact retailers and ask them to check their records for information related to your inquiry.
Gather Information and Records
If you find a defective product, you should not be hasty in filing a lawsuit. Instead, gather information about the product and reports about the incident to help your case. In the U.S., for example, there are laws on how to proceed in such a case.
If the product has been in use for more than 30 days and it is still under warranty, then you can get a refund from the retailer or manufacturer. If not, then the law requires that you report it to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
When defective products are found, it is common to hear complaints about their owners having to pay for damages caused by the defect. The company which brought you that product is also liable for damages that were sustained because of it. They should not be able to escape liability just because they are unaware of the defect or negligent in disclosing it.
Seek Legal Help
If you find that a defective product has injured you, it is important to seek legal counsel. As a result of faulty products, you have to pay for the medical expenses and has to suffer from physical pain, mental anguish, and financial losses.
Sometimes life-threatening injuries can happen as well. This is why it is important that you seek legal help sooner rather than later in order to protect your rights and minimize risks. Fortunately, there are various law firms similar to Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers that specialize in product liability cases that can help you get the support you need.
Know if you Can Make a Claim
To many, injuries are unavoidable. However, there are certain instances in which the product’s manufacturer or seller can avoid these injuries. A claim can be made if a defective product has injured you. A claim can help to compensate you for any money you’ve lost, whether it’s through medical care or loss of wages.
So it helps to ensure that you look into making a claim so you can get compensated, especially if you’ve experienced personal injuries due to faulty products.
Conclusion
So as you enjoy your holiday season, keep an eye out for any issues that may include products that may be faulty, and protect your family by following these tips on what to do if you find yourself injured by a faulty product.