Product Liability Attorney in Athens

When you purchase a product, you trust it’s safe for its intended use. Unfortunately, defective products can cause serious injuries to consumers, leading to physical, emotional, and financial hardships. If a faulty product has harmed you, you need an experienced Athens product liability lawyer to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we have decades of experience handling complex product liability cases. Our team is dedicated to holding manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable for the harm caused by their defective products. We deeply understand product liability law and are committed to seeking the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Athens product liability lawyer to discuss your case.

What Are the Different Types of Product Liability Claims?

Product liability claims generally fall into three categories. Each type of claim requires a different approach to prove fault:

• Design defects – These claims focus on the inherent dangers of the product’s design. Even if a product is manufactured perfectly, it could still pose a risk due to poor design choices. A typical example of a design defect is a car with a high rollover risk due to its structure.
• Manufacturing defects – In these cases, the product’s design may be safe, but an error in the production process makes the item defective. This can involve using substandard materials or improper assembly. For example, a batch of medication might be contaminated during manufacturing.
• Failure to warn – Sometimes, a product may be inherently dangerous or pose a risk if misused. In these cases, the manufacturer must provide adequate warnings or instructions to ensure user safety. For example, a piece of machinery that does not include proper safety warnings can result in severe injury.

What Is Needed to Prove a Product Liability Case?

For a product liability claim, you typically need to prove the following elements:

1. The product was defective in design, manufacture, or marketing (lack of adequate warnings or instructions).
2. The defect existed when the product left the defendant’s control.
3. You were using the product as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner.
4. The defect caused your injury.

Proving these elements requires extensive investigation, expert testimony, and a thorough understanding of both product liability law and industry standards. An Athens product liability attorney can gather the necessary evidence and build a compelling case on your behalf.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Liability Claim?

Multiple parties can potentially be held liable in a product liability claim, depending on where the defect occurred in the product’s life cycle:

• Manufacturers – The company that designed or produced the defective product may be held responsible for the injuries it caused. This can include both large corporations and smaller manufacturers.
• Retailers – Even though retailers do not design or manufacture products, they can still be held liable for selling a defective item. Consumers have the right to expect that the products retailers sell are safe.
• Distributors – In some cases, distributors or wholesalers who played a role in bringing the product to market may also share responsibility for a defective product.

An experienced Athens product liability lawyer from R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can investigate all potentially liable parties to maximize your compensation.

What Should You Do If You Are the Victim of a Defective Product?

If a defective or dangerous product has injured you, there are several steps you should take to help build a strong case for compensation:

• Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.
• Preserve the product in its current condition if possible. Do not attempt to repair or alter it.
• Keep all packaging, instructions, and receipts related to the product.
• Document your injuries with photographs and detailed notes about how the incident occurred.
• Report the incident to the retailer and manufacturer.
• Keep records of all medical treatments and other bills related to your injury.
• Contact an experienced Athens product liability lawyer as soon as possible.

Remember, product liability cases can be complex and time-sensitive. The sooner you consult an Athens product liability lawyer, the better your chances of preserving crucial evidence and building a strong case.

What Types of Compensation Are Available for an Athens Product Liability Claim?

Victims of defective products in Athens, Georgia, may be entitled to various types of compensation for their injuries, including:

• Medical expenses – This covers all costs related to your injury, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
• Lost wages – This includes compensation for income lost due to your injury, including potential future earnings if your ability to work has been permanently affected.
• Pain and suffering – You may be entitled to damages for physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – You may also deserve compensation for how your injury has impacted your ability to enjoy daily activities and hobbies.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Product Liability Lawsuit?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally two years from the date of injury. However, some situations may allow for exceptions to this rule, such as:

• The discovery rule – In some cases, the clock may start when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered that a defective product caused your injury.
• Cases involving minors – The statute of limitations may be extended in cases involving injuries to minors.

Additionally, Georgia has a 10-year statute of repose for product liability cases. This means that in most cases, you cannot bring a claim more than 10 years after the product was first sold – regardless of when the injury occurred.

Contact an Athens Product Liability Lawyer

If you were harmed by a defective product in Athens, Georgia, R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can help you seek justice. Reviews call us “a ‘Client First’ firm that cares about getting the best outcome for their clients.” We offer a free initial case consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation in your case.

Contact our Athens personal injury lawyer today for your free, no-obligation consultation and learn how we can help you hold the at-fault party accountable.