When you buy a product, you expect it to be safe for you to use. However, consumers are often injured by defective products because companies fail to safely design or manufacture the product before they put it in the marketplace.
If you were injured because of a defective product, call the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC today at (312) 701-0090 to get a free evaluation of your case.
Injured By A Defective Product?
Contact an Attorney at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC Today
Why Choose a Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC Chicago Product Liability Lawyer
- When you hire a Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC lawyer, you get a whole team working for you, not just one attorney. We have the resources and skills to litigate complex product liability cases and help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
- We give you personalized attention throughout the legal process. We are always ready to assist you and will customize a legal strategy specific to the facts of your claim and your priorities.
- We have over 100 years of combined legal experience, successfully protecting the rights of injury victims and their families.
- We get results. Our Chicago product liability lawyers have helped secure numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Understanding Product Liability Claims
Not all products that injure someone are legally defective. In Illinois, three main types of defects could give rise to a product liability claim:
- Design defects– A design defect means that the product was dangerous as designed, before it was ever manufactured. A design defect means that every product manufactured from this design would be defective.
- Manufacturing defects– A manufacturing defect occurs during production. While the design may be safe, something may have gone wrong when the product was actually made. It could happen if a machine malfunctioned, a worker skipped a step of the manufacturing process, or substandard materials were used during production.
- Failure to warn defects, also known as market defects– If a product is reasonably safe when used correctly but the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions, it could give rise to a product liability claim. An example of this is a drug that could have serious side effects for some patients, but that information is not provided to doctors who prescribe it or to the patients taking the drug.
If you suspect a valid claim, photos preserving the condition at the time of injury can serve as critical evidence.
Compensation Recoverable in a Chicago Product Liability Claim
Product liability injury victims may recover significant compensation for their damages because their injuries are often severe and the defendants are typically large companies with sufficient assets and insurance coverage. In a successful Chicago product liability claim, you should be able to recover all economic damages, such as current and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other financial costs.
You may also be able to recover your non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses and costs incurred.
In some product liability cases, punitive damages may be awarded. If a manufacturer knew about a product’s defect and sold it anyway, or if they acted with intentional disregard for consumer safety, punitive damages may be appropriately awarded by a jury.
Statute of Limitations in Chicago Product Liability Claims
The Illinois statute of limitations for a product liability claim is two years, as outlined in 735 ILCS 5/13-213. A wrongful death claim involving a defective product has a statute of limitations of two years from the date of death.
However, Illinois law also provides a statute of repose for specific claims. If you did not discover your injury right away, you may have longer than two years, but usually no more than 10 years after the product was first sold to file a claim. The statute of repose varies depending on the specific facts of your case. There may be other exceptions to the filing deadline for product liability claims, so you must promptly consult an experienced Chicago product liability lawyer to determine how long you have to file your claim.
Why You Should Consult an Experienced Chicago Product Liability Lawyer
Product liability cases are challenging and expensive to pursue. You will likely need experts, such as engineers, doctors, and other industry specialists, to testify regarding why the product was defective and how it caused your injuries.
Defendants in product liability cases typically have large legal teams and experts of their own to defend against your claim. You need the assistance of an experienced Chicago product liability lawyer with a proven record of success and the resources necessary to help you prove your claim and recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Types Of Product Liability Cases
In a product liability case, you may be able to hold the designer and manufacturer of the defective product responsible for injuries you suffered because of the product. Common product liability cases arise from:
- Defective vehicles and their component parts, such as brakes
- Defective medical devices, like hip implants
- Dangerous drugs
- Defective toys
- Defective consumer products
- Recalled products
Injuries suffered from defective devices can range from broken bones to death — if a loved one passed away due to a defective product, contact a wrongful death attorney in Chicago today. Each case is different, but every case will require an experienced legal advocate to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Get Advice About Your Case | The Consultation Is Free
Product liability cases are complex. They may involve multiple parties that are responsible for your injuries, and they often require experts to prove the cause and extent of your injuries. With a skilled legal representative on your side, you will understand your legal rights and gain insight regarding when you should settle or take your case to trial.
Contact Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC to talk with an experienced lawyer about your potential case. Our two offices are located conveniently in Chicago. We welcome clients throughout the Greater Chicago area.
All cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. Our attorneys do not get paid until you do.
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