Before putting products on the market, manufacturers and design companies must test them to ensure they are ready and safe for consumer use. Customers buying defective products can suffer from devastating burns from exposure to certain chemicals. Common products that have been in use for burning consumers include lithium-ion batteries and e-cigarettes.
One of the most dangerous accidents involving a defective product is a product explosion, which can lead to catastrophic burns and other devastating injuries. Victims may have to go through complex surgeries like skin grafts. To hold the accountable party liable for their actions, find out here how to hire an attorney today.
What makes a product “defective”?
The safety of a product is judged based on three elements: its design, manufacture, and marketing. When a manufacturer fails to uphold the safety standards required in the aforementioned elements, the product may become unsafe and harmful to its consumers.
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Defective manufacture.
A product is said to be defectively manufactured when an error is committed during production, perhaps a problem at the factory where it is made. In this case, some units of the same product or a few batches may be defective, but others may work fine.
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Defective design.
A defectively designed product is different from a defectively manufactured product in the sense that a defectively manufactured product may affect only a small portion of people, but a defective design implies that the entire suite of products is wrongfully created. If the product’s initial design was faulty, the product must be recalled and redesigned.
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Failure to provide adequate warnings.
If the manufacturer or owner of the product is aware of the fact that their product can harm the consumer in some way, then they are required to provide adequate warnings. This way, they won’t be liable for the damage caused since they can claim that they had already warned the customers about the potential side effects or dangers.
A common example of a warning with products is the side effect description given along with the release of a new medication.
What are some products that can cause burn injuries if defective?
- Airbags and other auto parts
- Children’s toys
- Firearms
- Electric blankets
- Skincare products
- Small kitchen appliances
- Recreational vehicles
- Medical equipment
- Space heaters
- Lithium-ion batteries packs
- Propane heaters
- Pressure cookers
- Vaping products and e-cigs
- Hoverboards
- Cell phones and accessories
Catastrophic burn injuries can impact a person’s ability to live their life normally or earn a living. Contact an attorney today to get justice and recover damages for your losses.