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Defective Consumer Products Attorney In Chicago

If a defective consumer product caused your injury or medical condition, contact the product defect and mass tort attorneys of Wallace Miller today. We can review the circumstances of the incident and determine whether you are entitled to financial compensation from the manufacturer. We might be able to represent you in an insurance claim or mass tort lawsuit.

You probably trust that the consumer products you use every day are safe. Most people don’t expect to sustain injuries while using a household appliance or personal hygiene product. Unfortunately, defects in various consumer products can lead to injuries, illnesses, and even death. The manufacturer could be liable if their negligence placed a dangerous product on the market.

At Wallace Miller, we understand the overwhelming nature of seeking medical treatment while pursuing legal action. Taking on both responsibilities might seem impossible. You can’t handle this by yourself. You can count on us to take over and complete every step of the legal process on your behalf. You should take the time to focus on your health and attend your doctor’s appointments so you can heal.

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We will investigate and obtain the available evidence to prove who was at fault for your injury. Our legal team has experience fighting against large manufacturers and holding them accountable for their misconduct. You should not suffer the consequences of someone else’s wrongdoing. Let us be the advocate you need and seek the justice you deserve.

Call Wallace Miller at (312) 261-6193 today for your free consultation with one of our defective consumer products attorneys.

At Wallace Miller, we represent nationwide clients in various cases involving defective consumer products, including:

Roundup – Roundup contains a toxic substance called glyphosate. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a group 2A carcinogen. That means it is probably carcinogenic to humans. Frequent and prolonged exposure to the chemical could lead to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other types of cancers.
Firefighting Foam – Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are substances found in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). They effectively extinguish fires involving petroleum products and other flammable materials. However, exposure to PFOS and PFOA could increase the risk of bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid disease.
Furniture – Most people go about their days not thinking about the potential dangers that could arise from the furniture they use. Chairs, dressers, tables, and other types of furniture could be defective and cause a consumer’s injury. For example, a dresser with unstable legs could tip over and trap someone underneath.
3M Earplugs – 3M earplugs are useful during combat and training. Soldiers can wear them to block out loud sounds and protect their eardrums. A defect in 3M’s earplugs can cause them to loosen and cause hearing loss, tinnitus, or nerve damage.
Household Appliances – Some appliances have faulty electrical components and parts. Those defects can spark a fire or cause the product to explode. Burns and similar injuries can result from a defective household appliance.
Baby Formula – Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal disease that premature babies can get. It results from consuming baby formula instead of breast milk. Complications can arise, such as abdominal infections, delays in development, and short bowel syndrome.
Motor Vehicles – People commonly drive their cars or trucks to work, school, and other places daily. Defective vehicles and parts, such as brakes, airbags, or motors, could malfunction and cause a crash.
Talcum Powder – Asbestos contamination can occur in products that contain talc, such as talcum powder and baby powder. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, and prolonged exposure could cause various forms of cancer, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
JUUL – JUUL is a popular type of e-cigarette on the market. It contains chemicals such as propylene glycol, formaldehyde, and cadmium. Inhaling these substances can cause lung scarring and inflammation. Over time, cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses can develop.
Paraquat – Paraquat is a toxic herbicide classified for restricted use by the Environmental Protection Agency. That means only licensed applicators can use the product. Some studies show frequent exposure to the chemicals in paraquat could lead to Parkinson’s disease.
Children’s Products – Car seats, playground equipment, toys, and other children’s products could contain defects. An error in the design, manufacturing, or marketing could create inherent dangers that injure the children who use the products.

If you sustained an injury due to any defective consumer product, do not hesitate to contact Wallace Miller.

Common Defective Consumer Products

Manufacturers can make mistakes that lead to various types of defects. The three main types include:

Design Defects

A design defect occurs when there’s a flaw or defect in the design of a product. You must prove three main elements of a design defect to hold the manufacturer liable:

The danger in the design existed before production started;
The company should have known the defect could injure consumers; and
The manufacturer could have used an alternative design to prevent the defect.

Manufacturing Defects

A manufacturing defect results from a flaw, error, or problem during the manufacturing phase of a product. It makes the product inherently unsafe for use. Despite a safe design, the defect during manufacturing can cause injuries to the users.

Common errors while manufacturing a product include:

Attaching Parts Incorrectly
Using Toxic Substances
Forgetting to Cut Sharp Edges Off After Using a Mold
Knowingly Using Faulty Materials

Failure to Warn

“Failure to warn” is a marketing defect that occurs when the manufacturer doesn’t include adequate warning labels. The labels must inform consumers of the potential risks of using the product. Failing to disclose the dangers can cause injuries or death even when people use the product as intended.

Common Types of Defects in Consumer Products

Common Injuries from Consumer Product Defects

Injuries commonly resulting from defective consumer products include:

Paralysis
Choking
Traumatic Brain Injury
Cancer
Lung Damage
Burn Injuries
Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement
Infections
Broken Bones
Psychological Trauma
Asphyxiation
Electrical Shock
Toxic Chemical Exposure
Respiratory Disease
Loss of Limb
Neck and Back Injuries

Defective consumer products can cause various injuries ranging from minor to severe. Some people heal with adequate medical treatment, while others suffer permanent injuries that require ongoing medical care and assistance.

Holding Manufacturers Liable for Consumer Product Injuries

It can be challenging to prove fault and hold manufacturers liable for someone’s injury. The manufacturer isn’t the only party that could be responsible for a defective product. The actions of other individuals and companies could also contribute to these defects. Other liable parties could include:

Suppliers
Wholesalers
Manufacturers of the Parts
Design Teams
Distributors or Retailers
Shipping Companies

Wallace Miller can help you prepare your case. Determining who you should hold liable for your injury can be confusing. We have the resources to discover which party is at fault for the defective consumer product and pursue legal action against them.

Compensation for Defective Consumer Products

Defective Consumer Products Attorney In Chicago You could pursue an individual lawsuit against the manufacturer for compensation. However, when a consumer product injures a large group of people, they can join together in a mass tort case.

Mass tort litigation involves numerous plaintiffs combining their cases into a single lawsuit. They bring one legal action against the same defendant for the injuries they sustained from the same defective product.

The compensation each plaintiff receives isn’t necessarily the same. You don’t split the monetary award equally. Instead, you receive an amount of money specific to the unique circumstances of your case.

For example, if you developed a terminal illness but someone else suffered minor broken bones, you would likely receive higher compensation than they would.

The compensation you recover in a lawsuit against the manufacturer could compensate you for your accident or injury-related losses, such as:

Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Medical Bills
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Mental Anguish
Pain and Suffering
Lost Wages
Lost Earning Capacity
Damage to Personal Property

You might also be able to pursue punitive or exemplary damages. This type of financial award punishes the defendant for their actions instead of compensating you for your losses. Depending on state laws, you must provide clear and convincing evidence of particular misconduct, such as disregard for the safety of others or gross negligence.

Most states impose a statute of limitations period of between one and five years for personal injury cases. You must follow this timeframe if you want to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. The timeframe begins on the date of your injury and ends a specified number of years later. You could lose your right to pursue compensation through the legal system if the statutory period expires before you initiate your lawsuit in court.

Statute of Limitations for Defective Consumer Products

Wallace Miller knows the economic burden many people face after an injury. You might be unable to afford your medical bills and the costs associated with hiring an attorney. We take cases on contingency, so you don’t have to pay upfront fees or costs. We won’t collect any of our legal fees unless we secure compensation for you.

If you suffered injuries from a defective consumer product, call us at (312) 261-6193 for your free initial consultation. We can discuss the aspects of your case and advise you about whether you qualify for a mass tort lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Contact Us

At Wallace Miller, our defective consumer products attorneys are proud of the reputation we have built over the years. We believe in representing injured clients against negligent manufacturers and other companies. When you hire us, we will provide the quality legal representation and support you deserve.