Defective products can cause detrimental damage to unsuspecting consumers. In a perfect world, everything works well. Often times, though, that’s hardly the case. Manufacturers will build products that can cause harm or even death though it is never the manufacturer’s’ intention to hurt its consumer. However, their liability lawyers work to evaluate cases involving potentially harmful consumer goods. These goods, whether they are toys, auto parts, or some new invention, if defective, can cause harm and damage to the consumer. Injuries, deaths and damage from defective and recalled products cost the public more than $500 billion each year.

There are primarily four methods to establish legal liability:

1. Negligence occurs when the legally responsible party produces a product carelessly or with indifference to the safety of others. Improper assembly or a defective part could be caused by such unreasonable care.

2. A seller not living up to its own rules of warranty.

3. False advertising can send a number of mixed messages. Perhaps the consumer was led to believe the product was safer, or is distracted from potential risks. Misrepresentations of a product can be argued under strict liability.

4. Strict Liability holds the manufacturer or seller of the defective product responsible for all injuries involving the product. The victim must prove the defectiveness and show how the product was harmful. Strict Liability can hold everyone involved with the product liable for personal injuries suffered by the consumer.

It can happen from any product. Whether it’s a design defect, manufacturing error, or just false advertising, harm can come from bad products. It is the companies’ job to ensure their products are safe and do not harm unsuspecting consumers. Any number of groups can be responsible, and successful lawsuits help ensure that manufacturers, sellers and distributors recognize that it pays to make and sell the safest products. That will prevent further damage and harm to the consuming public.