Defective products can cause serious harm to consumers. But defects do not always look the same. There are three different categories that consumers need to be aware of, especially if they have suffered injuries.
In any of these categories, it may be possible to seek financial compensation. But the type of defect may determine who is responsible for the injury and liable for paying out that compensation. The three main categories are listed below.
Defects in design
To begin with, a design defect means that a product simply is not safe. For instance, maybe a gas-powered ATV has a flaw that causes it to leak gasoline near the engine compartment, which can lead to a fire. It has been designed poorly, so there is an inherent risk, even if it is assembled correctly.
Defects in manufacturing
In other cases, the design itself is safe, but the assembly and manufacturing process goes awry. Perhaps certain safeguards are not installed correctly or the workmanship just is not up to spec. The product would be safe, but the way it was put together makes it dangerous.
Defects in labeling
Finally, labeling issues can make a product dangerous even when everything else about it is safe. Over-the-counter medications are a good example of this category. If the label tells users it is safe to take twice the recommended dose due to a printing error, the drug could be very dangerous—even though it would be safe if taken correctly.
Have you or a loved one suffered harm due to a defective product? You may deserve compensation for medical bills and more.