Every day, millions of products are purchased in stores and online by Americans. Like most people, you probably expect and even take for granted that these products are safe for you and your family to use—until one day, you or a family member are injured by a defective product.
Whether mild or severe, such an injury can be a wake-up call that not all products sold in our country are safe. Fortunately, you have the right to answer that call by retaining a practiced personal injury attorney and filing suit against the negligent company which manufactured or sold that product. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a specific product, an experienced Wheaton defective products lawyer may be able to help.
What Makes a Product Defective?
A defective product is not just a device that does not function like it was designed or functions poorly. Specifically, a defective product causes injury and, by the letter of the law in Wheaton, fits in one or more of these categories:
- The product is unreasonably dangerous
- The product’s packaging lacks adequate warnings regarding its dangers
- The manufacturer fails to provide complete and sufficient instructions to use the product
Each of these categories indicates that the distributor or manufacturer of the product acted negligently in their duty of care to protect the public from harm. If this negligence—or strict liability on the manufacturer’s part—can be proven in civil court, an injured plaintiff and their Wheaton defective products lawyer could seek compensation to cover expenses and losses caused by a defective product.
Statute of Limitations for Defective Products Cases in Wheaton
Most states give victims a set amount of time to file a lawsuit for a personal injury. Under 735 ILCS 5/12-901, commonly known as the statute of limitations in Illinois, potential plaintiffs in a defective products case have two years from the date of their original injury to file a civil case.
If a potential plaintiff lets this deadline pass without filing their case, they may give up their legal right to seek compensation for their injuries. To learn more about how the statute of limitations may apply to their own case, victims could speak to a reliable Wheaton defective products lawyer.
Settlements and Awards
The purpose of a lawsuit for a defective product is to seek a monetary settlement to make the victim whole again, or as close to whole as they can be after their injury. Many factors may be considered when a settlement or award is decided upon. These factors can be monetary in nature, such as medical bills, lost wages, and travel expenses, or they can be non-monetary losses such as loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
Speaking with a Wheaton Defective Products Attorney
If you are seeking justice after being injured by any type of defective product, an experienced Wheaton defective products lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Practiced attorneys understand the legal theories that apply to such cases and are also typically aware of the tactic manufactures and distributors of defective products will use as their defense. Our goal is to seek a fair settlement or award on your behalf that could help you get your life back on track. Call today if you are ready to start seeking justice for your injuries and losses.