Product Liability

Do You Need an Experienced Product Liability Lawyer in Minnesota?

If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to a defective product, you may be dealing with several emotions ranging from distress from severe pain to anxiety over your recovery and ensuing medical bills. You need guidance and assistance to prove product liability for the injury you suffered, collect evidence, and navigate the legal process within the statute of limitations. Your future relies on consulting a product liability lawyer to assess your case, prove negligence, and pursue appropriate compensation according to the legal requirements.

We trust product manufacturers to follow responsible guidelines to minimize risk and prioritize safety for consumers. When an injury occurs due to a defective product, an injured consumer suffers physical pain, emotional turmoil, and a loss of confidence in the manufacturer. An experienced product liability lawyer will consider all of these factors when compiling your product liability claim. Severe injuries from a defective product can prevent you and other people injured from enjoying activities that were once a part of your lifestyle or make it more difficult to accomplish mundane daily tasks. Such loss of enjoyment also factors into products liability cases.

Contact a knowledgeable product liability attorney right away and request a free consultation if you or a loved one has sustained an injury because of a defective product. Your lawyer can guide you through the legal process, gather evidence, and advocate for fair compensation in a product liability lawsuit. Our experienced Minneapolis product liability attorneys at RSC Law are here to represent victims in product liability claims with skill, compassion, and dedication.

Common Injuries Caused by a Defective Product

The injuries associated with defective products, leading to product liability cases span from minor to severe, and in the worst cases, wrongful death. Victims can experience:

• Scarring and disfigurement
• Brain injuries
• Bone fractures and breaks
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Cuts and abrasions
• Internal organ damage
• Choking hazards

If you have suffered any of these types of injuries due to use of a dangerous product, contact Robichaud, Schroepfer and Correia, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability in Minnesota involves holding manufacturers accountable for injuries caused by their products. A product liability case can include situations where a product — whether due to a manufacturing error, hidden defects, or faulty design — is unreasonably dangerous for its intended purpose, leading to injury. Laws upholding strict liability for product manufacturers promote public safety and hold manufacturers accountable for maintaining strict safety standards in the design, testing, assembly, and manufacture of their products.

Who Is Liable in a Product Liability Case in Minnesota?

Depending on the specifics of the incident, multiple parties could be held liable, such as:

• The individual or team that designed the product
• The manufacturer of the product
• Retail businesses that sell the product
• Distributors and wholesalers in the supply chain
• Laboratories and testing facilities evaluating the product
• Any external business, contractor, or consultant who played a role in the product’s design

The Rights of Minnesota Consumers in Relation to Products

As a Minnesota consumer, you have a right to:

• Safe use of products
• Factual product information
• Adequate warnings regarding product dangers
• A variety of product choices
• Seek compensation for injuries caused by defective products

Minnesota’s Three Product Liability Theories

Minnesota law centers around three primary theories: strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty, offering several grounds for holding manufacturers and sellers accountable for defective products.

• Strict Liability: The focus of this theory is on the safety of the product instead of the conduct of the manufacturer. If a product is inherently dangerous and causes injury, the manufacturer or seller can be held accountable, irrespective of negligence.
• Negligence: This theory applies when either the company that made the product or seller of the product fails to adhere to safety standards in the product’s design, manufacturing, or marketing. Liability arises from a lack of reasonable care, leading to an unsafe product.
• Breach of Warranty: This relates to the manufacturer’s express or implied warranty concerning a product’s safety for its intended use. If this warranty is broken, leading to injury, the manufacturer can be held accountable.

What are Some Common Causes of Injuries Sustained in Product Liability Incidents?

Common causes of injuries sustained from defective products in Minnesota include:

• Injuries from faulty equipment
• Harm caused by hazardous materials
• Injuries from defective tires and SUV roll-overs
• Injuries due to negligent vehicle maintenance
• Harm related to design defects in products
• Injuries caused by manufacturing defects in vehicles

If your loved one died because of a defective product, you could potentially pursue a wrongful death claim. During your free consultation, discuss the specifics of your case with a product liability attorney at our law firm.

Common Factors and Circumstances Involving Defective Products

Several factors and circumstances can lead to product liability claims in Minnesota, including:

1. Defective Design: A design defect in the product that makes it inherently dangerous, such as missing safeguards or hidden defects in medical devices, can cause severe injury to users.
2. A Malfunctioning Product: A malfunctioning product leads to breakdowns, property damage, and potentially hazardous situations such as car accidents, posing a significant risk to consumers.
3. Product Liability Lawsuits: Major product liability cases stemming from defective or dangerous products sold to consumers, which have led to significant legal actions against corporations.
4. Design-Related Injuries: Products with design defects leading to injuries, such as burns from defective cooking appliances, which point to the dangers posed by flawed product design.
5. Vulnerable Product Types: Virtually any type of product can cause injuries to consumers if it is defective, including automotive products, consumer goods like beds and mattresses, and household items such as soaps and cleaners.
6. Fatal Injuries: Some defective products are more prone to causing fatal injuries, such as faulty design of vehicle parts, emphasizing the severe consequences of product defects on individuals’ safety.
7. Unreasonably Dangerous Products: Products are considered unreasonably dangerous when they pose risks beyond what an ordinary user would contemplate, highlighting the potential threat to consumers’ safety.

These scenarios illustrate the diverse range of situations where a defective product causes harm to individuals, emphasizing the importance of holding responsible parties accountable for the injuries and damages caused. If a defective design or malfunctioning product has caused harm to you or a loved one, knowing your legal rights is vital. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation.

What Should Victims of a Defective Product Do Immediately After Harm Occurs?

If a defective product has injured you, take the following steps to support your recovery, your well-being, and a potential product liability claim:

• Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and seek medical treatment. Documented medical records can serve as strong evidence in your case.
• Preserve the Product: Keep the product in its current condition, without making repairs or alterations, because it can also serve as strong evidence.
• Collect Evidence: Gather the product, its packaging, manuals, or warnings. Photograph the product, injury, and incident scene — also vital for your lawsuit.
• Document Everything: Write a detailed account of the incident and take photographs of everything relevant.
• Maintain Medical and Expense Records: Save all medical reports, treatment bills, and related expenses to document the financial consequences of your injury.
• Witness Information: Collect contact details of any witnesses for their potential testimony.
• Avoid Posting About It On Social Media: Do not share details or images of your injury. Instead, discuss the right steps to protect your case and your loved ones with your attorney.

What Compensation Is Available for Cases Involving a Defective Product?

In Minnesota, compensation for victims in product liability claims includes a wide range of damages, divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These refer to measurable financial losses, such as medical expenses incurred for treatment, lost wages due to inability to work, and other quantifiable financial impacts directly caused by the injury.

Non-economic damages

These cover the intangible and often more personal aspects of the injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your quality of life in general. We assess each case individually to determine the appropriate compensation for the specific hardships and losses incurred by the victim.

Potential for Punitive Damages

In cases where the manufacturer’s actions have been particularly reckless, you may pursue punitive damages in formal litigation. Punitive damages are intended to penalize the negligent party and deter similar future behavior, and they are less common than compensatory damages like economic and non-economic damages.

Determining the Value of Your Case

The value of your case depends on multiple factors, such as the seriousness of your injuries and their long-term impact. Catastrophic injuries or permanent disabilities usually lead to higher compensation.

However, under Minnesota’s contributory fault laws, if you bear any responsibility for the injury, your compensation may be proportionally reduced. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the injury, you may be ineligible to recover any damages.

Have You or a Loved One Been Hurt by a Defective Product? Contact Robichaud, Schroepfer and Correia, P.A. in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Discuss Your Liability Claim

Has a defect in a product led to a life-altering injury or the wrongful death of a loved one? At RSC Law, we understand how it can feel when a manufacturer betrays your trust.

Our knowledgeable and experienced legal team is here to help. During a free consultation, we will evaluate the specifics of your incident and help you pursue appropriate compensation. Call us today at (612) 333-3343 or complete our online form to begin.
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