You probably use an electrical appliance several times per day but don’t think twice about it. Just this morning you may have vacuumed your bedroom or made a smoothie in a blender. Because these are commonplace objects that we use daily you may not realize it but these appliances can be extremely dangerous. Because they rely on electricity any defect or issue can cause a fire, explosion, leak, and more. When a defect like this occurs manufacturers may be liable for the aftermath. To learn more about whether manufacturers can be held responsible for faulty appliances read below and speak with a Pike County, KY product liability lawyer.
Can Manufacturers Be Held Liable for Faulty Appliances?
Manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their products under what is known as product liability laws. Under these laws, manufacturers have a legal obligation to take reasonable care to ensure that their products are safe for consumer use. All products must meet certain safety standards before they can be sold, but unfortunately, issues can still occur. You can pursue legal action against a manufacturer due to the following.
- Negligence
- Breach of contract
- Strict liability
Consumers can sue for negligence if the manufacturer fails to exercise reasonable care during the design, manufacturing, or marketing process. Sometimes companies will try to get a product to market as soon as possible and skip testing or certain required steps.
When a company sells an appliance it usually comes with a warranty, whether it is for one year or a lifetime. The warranty promises that the product will be safe and perform as intended. Additionally, implied warranties can exist where a consumer assumes that the product will function the way it was marketed. If any warranty or contract is breached it could be grounds for a lawsuit.
Manufacturers can also face strict liability. This means that even if the company was not negligent in its design or production, they can still face liability for any incidents. If the product is defective, even after careful manufacturing, they can be held strictly liable for any injuries or damages.
What Defects Can a Product Have?
There are a few defects that an appliance might show signs of depending on the machine and its use. Generally, a product can have design defects, manufacturing defects, or warning defects. A warning defect refers to the manufacturer’s job to properly inform the customer about proper use and the potential dangers associated with the product. Any of these defects can be grounds for legal action.
What Should I Do if My Appliance Has a Defect?
If you have an appliance that is defective in some way and caused injury or damage to yourself or others, you should reach out to an experienced attorney right away. Depending on the situation you may be able to pursue legal action and collect compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
Navigating the legal process can be confusing so acquire the services of a knowledgeable product liability attorney. They will be able to examine your situation, create a strong case, represent you during negotiations, and guide you through the process.
