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Chicago Defective
Product Attorneys
Defective product laws exist to protect consumers from potentially dangerous products. When a consumer is harmed by a defective product, they can take legal action against the designer, manufacturer, or in some instances, the distributor.
However, these cases can be extremely difficult to pursue without trustworthy legal representation. The right defective product attorneys can develop an effective legal strategy and help you achieve a favorable outcome.
If you’re looking for a reliable team of defective product attorneys in Chicago, Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge is the premier option. We have more than 100 years of combined experience, and our proactive, aggressive litigation strategies have helped countless clients navigate even the most grueling product liability litigation.
How Defective Product Lawsuits Work
Defective product lawyers handle several types of legal cases. Broadly speaking, cases involving product defects fall into three primary categories:
Design Defects
Design defects occur when the product is dangerous simply because of the way in which it was designed. For example, a toy for toddlers that features small parts could present a choking hazard. Even if it’s manufactured exactly to specifications, it could still cause injury or death.
Manufacturing Defects
If a product has no design flaws but an error was made during the manufacturing or assembly process, it’s considered to have a manufacturing defect.
For instance, imagine a company that sells fully assembled furniture. If the company uses the wrong kind of screws and a dresser falls on a child as a result, the parents might file a lawsuit citing manufacturing defects.
These cases can become highly complex when multiple companies play a role in bringing a product to market. For example, if one business manufactures the parts and another assembles the final product, an attorney would need to investigate to determine exactly where the error was introduced.
Marketing Defects
Legal claims involving marketing defects are also referred to as “failure to warn” cases. These cases arise when the manufacturer doesn’t adequately warn consumers of potential hazards.
For instance, if a drug is known to cause seizures but the manufacturer fails to mention this on the label, the affected consumers might file a lawsuit.
Types of Defective Product Cases We Handle
Our lawyers for defective products have managed cases stemming from virtually every industry. The following are some of the most common types of product liability cases we’ve assisted clients with:
Pharmaceuticals
Our defective product attorneys have all handled cases involving dangerous drugs. These lawsuits often involve hidden dangers, failure to warn about potential side effects, or misleading marketing.
Vehicles
With many types of products, design flaws and manufacturing defects don’t cause serious harm. However, when those defects are found in vehicles, the consequences can be deadly. If a problem with a new vehicle causes serious injury or death, the designer, manufacturer, or distributor could be liable.
Electronics
Defects in electronics are often inconvenient, but some are also dangerous. Two recent examples include exploding hoverboards and overheating phone chargers that cause fires.
Recreational Equipment
When gym equipment, trampolines, snowmobiles, and other kinds of recreational equipment are sold with defects, consumers may suffer serious injuries. For example, if a squat rack is advertised as being able to hold 800 pounds of load but collapses under 500 pounds, the injured consumer could sue for medical bills and other losses.
Consumer Goods
Just about every type of consumer good has been the subject of a defective product lawsuit. Our team has represented individuals as well as businesses from almost every sector in these nuanced cases.
FAQ
Do You Litigate Cases Involving Individual Plaintiffs or Groups of Plaintiffs?
Both. Our defective product attorneys have represented businesses in individual lawsuits, as well as cases involving multidistrict litigation, mass torts, and class action lawsuits.
How Does Liability for Defective Products Work in Chicago?
In Illinois, cases involving defective products are typically strict liability cases. This means that a business may be found liable for harm its products have caused, even if the plaintiff can’t prove the company acted negligently.
What Kinds of Companies Can Be Held Liable in Defective Product Cases?
It depends on the circumstances of the case. Product designers, manufacturers, assemblers, distributors, and retailers have all been held liable in the past.
Our Defective Products Attorneys
Work With Trusted Chicago Defective Product Attorneys
Defective products or defective medical devices could put your well-being — or your company’s future — in jeopardy. If you’ve been sued or are considering taking legal action, there’s no time to waste.
When you hire Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, our defective medical device attorneys will start investigating your case immediately. Once we have a complete picture of the situation, we’ll get to work building a robust case on your behalf.
Our team has a long track record of success in cases involving product liability law. If you’re in need of trustworthy defective product legal services, contact us to book a consultation today.