Product Liability Information Center

Dangerous Products — What You Need to Know

If you have been injured by a dangerous or defective product, it's important to understand your rights. Product liability is a complex area of law. An aggressive product liability attorney can help you with your legal options. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates for a free and confidential consultation. With our office in Atlanta, we serve clients throughout Georgia.

A Closer Look at Products Liability

When we buy products, we expect them to work correctly. We certainly don't expect the products to seriously injure ourselves or our children. But defective products do make their way into consumers' homes, causing harm to adults and children alike.

A products liability attorney at the Law Office of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C. is prepared to offer a free a consultation. Our firm understands products liability law and how to apply it to individual cases. If you or a loved one has been injured, please get in touch with an experienced attorney with our firm to discuss your options.

The federal government regulates some aspects of consumer product safety, but the laws affecting products liability litigation exist at the state level. Although the intricacies of these laws vary from state to state, the states share some overarching principles.

How a Products Liability Case May Originate

A manufacturer, wholesaler or seller may be liable when a person is injured using a product in a reasonable manner. For example, someone may be liable if, say, a toaster causes a shock or if a toy with sharp parts injures a child. If you or someone you know was injured while using a product, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, we put experience and resources to work for products liability injury victims. Contact us today.

Products Liability Facts

If you are injured by a dangerous product, you may be able to pursue litigation against manufacturers, wholesalers and sellers. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering, depending on the circumstances of the case. In some cases, you may be entitled to receive punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoer. Punitive damages may be ordered if the defendant acted in a malicious or grossly negligent manner.

A case may arise if the product is defective or it presents an unreasonable danger, and the defect or danger causes the injury. The defendants can be found liable under theories of negligence, strict liability or breach of warranty.

Learn More about Products Liability through the Following Resources

US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) The CPSC oversees more than 15,000 types of consumer products in the US. It establishes safety guidelines, sets fines and coordinates recalls of defective and dangerous products.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The FTC is responsible for handling complaints about false advertising and fraud, including claims that relate to product quality.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA regulates the nation's drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and food. Its Web site provides information on its activities and recalled items.

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) ISMP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to informing both consumers and health care providers about the safe use of medication. The Web site discusses issues such as medication errors and easily confused drug names.