Consumers purchase and use products with the expectation that they will safely work for their intended purpose. Product defects can quickly derail these promises from manufacturers and retailers, causing you injury and other losses.
Fortunately, a successful personal injury claim can provide compensation that can help you and your family financially recover from this traumatic experience. Work with a Chandler defective products lawyer from Phillips Law Group today to begin reviewing your options.
What Is a Defective Product?
Arizona product liability occurs if a manufacturer or retailer transfers a defective consumer item that is unreasonably dangerous at the time it leaves their control and causes injury to someone who uses it. The defect can result from the manufacture or design of the product and must depart from an ordinary user’s expectations that it will perform safely when used in a reasonably foreseeable way.
A product defect claim could also occur due to inadequate warnings and information on how to safely use a potentially hazardous item. Our Chandler attorneys can review the details of an accident caused by a defective product to determine whether there is a viable cause for legal action and help the injured person determine what steps to take next.
Types of Damages in a Defective Product Case
A person can claim both economic and non-economic damages associated with their injury from a defective product. The specific amount of compensation available in a case will depend on the nature of a person’s injury, its impact on their life, and other related circumstances. These damages commonly include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and a diminished earning capacity
- Costs for necessary past, present, and future medical care
- Additional losses to a person’s quality of life and relationships
Working with our trusted Chandler defective products attorneys is the best way to maximize potential damages after an accident. Our team will listen to understand how an injury has impacted a person’s life to ensure any settlement amounts adequately reflect the full extent of their needs. If negotiations do not yield the desired result, we are not afraid to take matters to court to fight for what is right.
Affirmative Defenses Could Limit Damages in a Product Liability Case
Product defect cases can quickly become complex when assigning liability to a manufacturer or seller if questions about fault for the injury occur. For example, several affirmative defenses under Arizona Statute Section 12-683 could apply to the case and protect the defendant from liability, these include cases where:
- The product’s design or manufacturing methods were state of the art at the time of its first sale
- The cause of injury was an unforeseeable alteration or modification of the product by another person after it was first sold
- The cause of injury was a product’s use that was contrary to its instructions and warnings
Additionally, Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations under Arizona Statute Section 12-542 for personal injury cases. This means a person must file a claim within two years from the date of the incident that caused them injury. Missing this filing deadline could lead to a dismissal of the case and prevent someone from seeking compensation in court. Working with a dedicated defective products attorney in Chandler ensures these potential pitfalls are avoided.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Chandler Defective Products Attorneys
Phillips Law Group is a locally owned and operated personal injury firm with a 30-year history of serving injured people in Chandler and the greater Phoenix area. We offer free, no-obligation consultations with our Chandler defective products lawyers for people who may have a claim against a manufacturer or retailer.
Please get in touch with our attorneys today to find out how we may be able to help you or your loved ones. We look forward to hearing from you!
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