Defective Products/Product Liability Law

in Houston, Texas

All too often, a company releases a flawed product or fails to adequately inform individuals of product dangers, which may result in the personal injury, death or property damage to innocent consumers. Thankfully, product liability law protects consumers against personal injury from defective products.

Intent is irrelevant in product liability lawsuits-no reasonable company would release a product with knowledge that it may cause personal injury. While a manufacturing company may go to great lengths in an attempt to prevent injury, the fact is that if a product is proven defective and causes personal injury, then innocent consumers are entitled to receive compensation for their damages.

Proving Liability

Anyone related to the manufacture or sale of a defective product may be held liable in a defective products lawsuit including:

• Designers and manufacturers of component parts
• Assembling manufacturer
• Wholesalers
• Retailers

In order for a defective products lawsuit to have legs, the product must be proven defective, which means that one of the following must be evident:

• Design defect
• Manufacturing defect
• Marketing defect
• Failure to warn of the product's dangerous propensities

Common Defective Products

Many product liability lawsuits stem from automobile accidents. While any defective product is inherently dangerous, vehicle design flaws, such as a seatbelt failing to restrain the occupants or an SUV rolling over during a turn, can result in catastrophic injuries.

Outside of automobiles, numerous types of defective products have resulted in personal injury and parties responsible have been brought to justice. Common product liability lawsuits have stemmed from defective:

• Toys
• Jet skies and other water vehicles
• Aircrafts
• Power tools
• Lamps
• Fire protection equipment
• ATVs
• Pharmaceuticals, which can result in drug litigation

Financial Compensation Due to a Defective Product

Injuries sustained from a defective product can be devastating. For those who have been the victim of a defective product, monetary damages may be recovered for:

• Mental pain and suffering
• Medical bill compensation
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Loss of wages
• Loss of companionship, if the defective product resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one
• Punitive damages

To learn more, please read our Questions About Product Liability Law.

At Kennedy Hodges, L.L.P., our attorneys have a proven record of successfully litigating numerous product liability and defective product lawsuits. Our Houston, Texas office has the resources and capabilities to handle a wide range of product liability cases. Please contact our defective product attorneys today to schedule your free consultation. Remember, we only get paid if you do.