Birmingham Manufacturing Defects Lawyers

When you buy a product, you assume it will work correctly and not put you at risk. Unfortunately, errors during the manufacturing process can lead to defects that create hazards for consumers. A manufacturer’s negligence while assembling the product or the company’s failure to meet design specifications are careless mistakes that could cause severe injuries, illnesses, even death.

If you sustained injuries from a product with a manufacturing defect, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses. Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP has more than 20 years of experience providing legal representation to clients hurt by manufacturers’ negligence.

Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can navigate complex cases like product liability to ensure your rights remain protected. When you hire us, we will create the right strategy to get the manufacturer or its insurance company to pay the money they owe you. You should not have to suffer the consequences of their actions. Our Birmingham defective product lawyers will help you hold them liable. Call us today at (205) 324-1212.

Examples of Manufacturing Defects

You would think the products you buy have been professionally tested to meet safety standards. However, many manufacturers make mistakes or skip safety precautions. When that happens, you end up with something potentially hazardous to your physical safety or health.

A manufacturing defect occurs when there’s an error during manufacturing. Despite the product having a safe design that meets specifications, it was not assembled correctly.

The most common types of manufacturing defects include:

• Using toxic materials during production
• Installing wires on an electrical component improperly
• Assembling parts incorrectly
• Using the wrong screws, bolts, and other materials to build the product
• Installing faulty brakes in an automobile
• Furniture containing damaged parts
• Tainted medication
• Attaching parts the wrong way
• Failing to trim sharp edges from a mold
• Using outdated components on equipment, cars, trucks, or machinery
• Faulty electronics that cause a fire or explode

Whether you or your loved one’s injury was minor or severe, you should contact Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP. Even an injury that seems insignificant, at first, might have long-term consequences and deserve financial compensation. Our Birmingham manufacturing defects lawyers will investigate what happened, determine the cause, and find evidence that proves the manufacturer made a dangerous error.

Common Injuries Associated with Manufacturing Defects

Whether your toaster oven sparks a fire or your brakes fail while driving, you could sustain a range of different injuries from defective products. Some of them only require an ER visit to patch up wounds or stitch up cuts. For severe injuries, you could face months of physical therapy.

Some examples of injuries caused by products with manufacturing defects include:

• Burns from an appliance that explodes
• Broken bones from furniture that tips over
• Skin infections from makeup containing unsafe ingredients
• Various injuries from a recalled motor vehicle
• Traumatic brain injury from falling off a defective ladder
• A child choking on an unsecured part of their toy
• Cancer or other diseases from prescription drugs containing carcinogenic substances
• Loss of limb from a poorly assembled power tool

Unfortunately, any injury caused by a defect in the manufacturing process can lead to permanent disability or impairment. You might need to hire someone to help you with household chores or attend doctor’s appointments regularly to manage your pain.

Medical bills are expensive, and over time they can become overwhelming. No matter what kind of injury or illness occurred, you should seek legal representation immediately to determine your options.

How to Handle Your Injury from a Manufacturing Defect

A common reason victims of manufacturing defects end up with a denied claim or low settlement offer is because they choose not to hire a lawyer. You might think you’re saving yourself money by handling your case alone, but this is not recommended.

At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, we understand the overwhelming feeling of dealing with a legal case. You worry about how it will affect your finances, and whether the compensation you receive is worth the legal fees to make it happen.

We take product liability cases on contingency, so you don’t have to worry about upfront fees. We don’t collect anything unless we win. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us anything.

Follow the steps below if a manufacturing defect caused your injury or illness to ensure you win the maximum financial award available:

• Keep the product — Don’t try to repair it yourself or throw it away. Leave it as it is so you can prove there was a defect.
• Seek medical treatment — Go to a hospital or urgent care facility so a doctor can evaluate your injuries. They will determine if you need ongoing treatment to heal. It’s crucial that you follow their instructions and don’t stop treating your injury until you recover or your doctor releases you from their care. Insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as the perfect reason to deny claims.
• Hire a lawyer — Seek legal representation immediately after the injury occurs. We will take over the responsibility of your case so you can focus on recovering.
• Notify the insurance company — Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP will assist you in the claims process to ensure your claim gets filed promptly, and the insurance company is aware that we are representing you.
• Keep records — Take photos of visible injuries and property damage caused by the defective product. For example, if an appliance caught on fire and ruined your countertop, you will need photos and a repair estimate as evidence of the costs. You should also maintain documentation associated with your case, such as medical records, out-of-pocket expenses, and doctor-prescribed medication.
• Find witnesses — If anyone saw what happened to you, make a note of their names and phone numbers. They could provide witness statements to the insurance company or testify in court if you file a lawsuit.
• Communicate with your lawyer — If your doctor refers you for imaging, surgery, or ongoing physical therapy, let us know. We will need to request medical records from that doctor or facility. It’s useful to have a timeline of your treatment to show the severity of your injury. You should also notify us of any letters or phone calls you receive from the insurance company. We will handle the correspondence on your behalf.

Determining How Much Compensation You Deserve

Your injury likely led to damages. Damages are the total losses a person suffers as a result of an injury or accident. There are economic damages, which refer to actual expenses, and non-economic damages that include the physical and emotional effects of an injury. Your damages will determine the settlement amount you should receive from the insurance company when you file a claim.

The monetary damages you’re entitled to pursue include:

• Medical bills
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium

It’s important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. That’s why having an experienced lawyer to help you is critical to your case. We won’t let them take advantage of you or try to settle for an amount lower than you deserve. We use various factors to prove how much compensation you need to cover your total damages. They include the following:

• Type of injury and how serious it is
• Impact of the injury on quality of life
• Total expenses caused by the manufacturing defect
• Length of medically necessary treatment
• Estimated costs of future treatment
• Lost wages from inability to return to work
• Suffering endured by your spouse or children as a result of the injury
• The total value of property damage caused by the defective product
• Coverage listed on the manufacturer’s liability insurance policy
• Availability of relevant evidence proving fault

We use aggressive tactics when we’re negotiating with insurance companies. We will file your claim, provide the necessary evidence, and ensure they pay a fair settlement. If they refuse to provide adequate compensation, we can file a lawsuit.

Contact Us

Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP cares about the people in our community. We provide dependable legal services and compassionate, one-on-one attention. We believe in the importance of making Birmingham a safer place for its residents and ensuring everyone has a bright future. That’s why we support multiple organizations and charities, such as Children’s of Alabama, Ronald McDonald House Charities® Alabama, and Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama.

We have an excellent reputation for our work helping injured victims move on with their lives after an accident. We received an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and we’ve been recognized by various legal organizations, such as The National Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

When you hire Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, our Birmingham manufacturing defects lawyers will provide top-notch service, guidance, and support until the resolution of your case. If a manufacturing defect injured you or someone you loved, call us today at (205) 324-1212 for a free consultation.