Product manufacturers have an obligation to not put products out on the market that are unreasonably dangerous. To protect consumers and users of products, the law has created the doctrine of strict product liability. Strict liability is different from negligence in that it is not necessary to prove that the manufacturer knew that the product was unreasonably dangerous, although that kind of evidence certainly helps prove the case. Instead, the focus of the product liability case is on product itself. If the product is unreasonably dangerous, then the manufacturer is liable.

There are three main theories that are used to pursue products liability cases:

• Design defect: This means that the product was made in the manner intended, but there was a defect in the design of the product that made it unreasonably dangerous for its foreseeable uses.
• Manufacturing defect: This means that the product as designed was safe, but due to a flaw in how the product was manufactured or assembled, one of the users of the product was injured.
• Failure to warn: Manufacturers are deemed by the law to be experts in the products they manufacture, including all of the dangers associated with their use. If the dangerous features of the product cannot be eliminated by a design change, then the manufacturer must issue adequate warnings of the product's dangers. For warnings to be adequate, they must reach the users of the product and must adequately advise the users of the risks involved in the use of the product.

If you or a loved one are injured by a dangerous product, it is of utmost importance that as much of the product be saved as possible. This includes packaging or instructions and the product itself. Many times the product involved will be thrown out or repaired in the immediate aftermath of an accident. It is critical for engineers and other consultants to be able to inspect the product in its unaltered state following the accident. The loss or destruction of the injury-causing product can cause serious problems in the proof of the case.

Below are links to specific areas of product liability. If you have been injured by an unsafe product, contact us as soon as you can, so that we can start the complex investigation that is always part of a product liability claim.

• Defective Medications
• Fentanyl
• Foreign Objects in Food
• Industrial Machinery
• Children's Toys
• Treadmills
• Unregulated Water Heater
• Product Liability FAQ

You could be entitled to compensation for your product liability injury, so don't delay in consulting a lawyer. Contact Chicago product liability lawyer Barry Doyle for your free legal consultation. No recovery, no fee.

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