Every manufacturer should create products with consumer safety in mind. When a product has a dangerous flaw in its design, consumers could suffer significant injury. If you have been harmed by a faulty product, a Houston design defect lawyer could help you pursue legal action against the responsible parties.
While it is true that many people represent themselves in design defect cases, doing so is often more work than hiring legal counsel. For instance, you could save time and peace of mind by hiring a product liability lawyer who understands cases like yours and has experience advocating on behalf of individuals injured in similar ways. Call Schechter, Shaffer & Harris to learn more.
What Are Design Defects?
Design defects occur when a product’s inherent design is unsafe, even before manufacturing occurs. Unlike manufacturing defects that only impact a specific batch of products, design defects affect the entire production. Unfortunately, these flaws can impact many different items, including appliances, vehicles, and children’s toys. Examples of design defects include the following:
- Medical devices prone to failure
- Power tools without safeguards
- Vehicles with a high risk for rollovers
- Household appliances that tend to overheat and cause fires
A Houston design defect attorney could provide more information on the types of products often affected by design flaws.
How to Prove Liability
Several parties may be held responsible for injuries caused by defective design, including manufacturers, designers, and distributors who were aware of the product’s dangers. To prove liability, a legal claim must demonstrate that the product was unreasonably dangerous because of its design and that an alternative design was available.
Texas law allows for strict liability claims, meaning injured parties do not need to prove negligence. They must only show that the product was defective and directly caused their injury. A skilled lawyer could help Houston individuals gather the necessary materials to prove a product’s defective design resulted in their suffering. Still, the accountable party can claim the victim failed to use the product correctly or was aware of the risks before using the product.
How to Collect Compensation
The victims of design defects may seek compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering.
In order to collect compensation in a design defect case, the injured victim must be able to show they incurred financial damages, and evidence gathered by a Houston attorney must bolster this claim.
In some cases, the court may also issue punitive damages to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence or reckless disregard for the safety of consumers.
Contact a Houston Design Defect Attorney For Help
Navigating a product liability claim on your own can be treacherous. However, a Houston design defect lawyer could assist in the investigation by identifying liable parties, consulting industry experts, handling negotiations with insurance companies, and representing you in court if necessary.
Defective products can cause severe injuries, leaving victims with substantial medical bills and long-term challenges. A lawyer could carefully evaluate your case and explain your legal options, so call today to learn more about pursuing a claim.
