As a consumer, you can reasonably expect that any product you purchase and use properly will be safe. Consumer products generally come with a guarantee that as long as you use the product as intended, you will not be injured by the product. Still, there are times when things go wrong during the manufacturing process, such as a mechanical malfunction or a missing part. These problems may result in a defective product that injures the consumer or causes other damage. This is a major issue that many companies that manufacture everyday products need to keep in mind. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of products have a duty to report an unsafe product. Fortunately, the law provides remedies for consumers who are injured as a result of product manufacturing defects. To learn more about your rights under consumer protection laws, contact the personal injury attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP. Our experienced team has a proven track record of helping victims receive fair compensation, both in court and through negotiated settlements for personal injury claims. You can reach our offices by calling today at (404) 876-8100.
What Are the Major Causes of Manufacturing Defects?
Manufacturing defects can be due to a variety of causes; however, some of these causes are more common than others. The most common causes of manufacturing defects are low quality materials and negligence.
Low Quality Materials
Product liability claims do not require that the court finds that the manufacturer is at fault for the defect that caused an accident or injury. This means that an injured consumer does not need to prove negligence on the part of the manufacturer in order to seek compensation from the company that sold them the product with a manufacturing defect. The rationale is that consumers should be able to trust the companies that they purchase from to have a safe and careful manufacturing process.
At times, a manufacturer may manufacture a product without any anticipation that the product may end up with a dangerous defect. This can be the case with low quality materials that cause manufacturing defects. Often, when companies want to maximize their profits, they may choose to use less expensive materials. Sometimes this decision to save money during the manufacturing process, can lead to defective products. In this instance, it does not matter that the company did not intend to choose a less effective material substitute. The fact that the product built with the low quality material had a manufacturing defect that caused an injury is often enough to entitle a victim to compensation for damages.
Negligence
Negligence also often plays a role in products liability cases and manufacturing defects. Manufacturers owe a duty of care to consumers to be reasonably careful during the manufacturing process. While negligence may be hard to prove in some cases, there are instances in which it is relatively easy to demonstrate that a manufacturer did not exercise reasonable care. Judicial precedent has established that companies should exercise reasonable care in inspecting their products, both during and after the manufacturing process. If the defective product is marketed to consumers due to a lack of thorough inspection, a court may find that the company did not exercise reasonable care.
What Are Defects in the Manufacturing Process?
Defects in the manufacturing process can be the result of negligence, a machine failure, a mistake, or even the use of low quality materials. Defects in the manufacturing process can lead to distributing products that are harmful and dangerous to consumers. Many consumers are familiar with the concept of a manufacturing defect through receiving a recall notice for a vehicle part.
While companies typically do not act deliberately to distribute products, especially vehicles, with manufacturing defects, defective products nonetheless make it onto the market from time to time. For this reason, the United States Department of Transportation offers online resources that allow consumers to check for recalls on their vehicles, so they can take a proactive approach to ensuring that their vehicle is safe to drive.
What Are the Types of Defects in Manufacturing?
Although motor vehicle defects can be among the most hazardous to consumers, manufacturing defects are not limited to vehicles. Errors and accidents in the manufacturing process also appear in appliances and other everyday consumer goods. These manufacturing defects can cause property damage or even serious injuries.
Some of the most common manufacturing defects include:
- Incorrectly attached parts
- Improperly installed electrical circuits
- improperly manufactured material
- Incorrectly attached bolts or fasteners
Many of these defects are easy to overlook in the manufacturing process, but that does not mean that the company will not be held liable for any harm caused to a consumer. A manufacturer should always take the time to thoroughly inspect their products before sending them to distributors or retail stores.
What Should You Do if You Have Been Involved in an Accident Caused by Manufacturing Defects?
The law of products liability aims to protect and provide a remedy for consumers who are involved in an accident due to using a product with a manufacturing defect. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate your case and receive compensation for your injuries. If you have been injured in an accident caused by manufacturing defects, consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer with Hall & Lampros, LLP to review the particulars of your situation and discuss your legal options for pursuing fair compensation for the injuries you have received.
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