Corpus Christi Defective Product Attorneys

Fighting for Victims of Dangerous and Defective Products in Corpus Christi, TX

An item that malfunctions due to a design, manufacturing, or marketing flaw can lead to severe physical harm, property damage, or even death. Manufacturers and distributors have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products. If you have been injured by a defective or dangerous product, you may be able to seek compensation for damages and should not wait to discuss your case with a skilled attorney.

When you seek legal help, you want to know that a firm is capable of winning personal injury cases. Our Corpus Christi defective product lawyers understand how harmful the consequences of a faulty product can be and have many years of experience successfully handling these cases. 

Our team at Hilliard Law has a proven track record bringing cases against national and international corporations, including:

• $90 million in a defective ignition switch case against General Motors
• $10.9 million in a sudden acceleration case against Toyota

If we take your case, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you owe our firm nothing unless we win.

Do not wait to schedule a free initial consultation by calling (361) 882-1612 or contacting us online.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, or retailers to compensate for injury or damage caused by their defective products. This liability is typically classified into three main types: design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects.

Design defects are inherent flaws in a product's design that render it unsafe for its intended or foreseeable use. For example, a car that tends to flip over when turning corners has a design defect. For a product liability claim based on design defects to be successful, it must be demonstrated that a safer, economically feasible alternative design was available and that the manufacturer failed to adopt it.

Manufacturing defects, on the other hand, occur during the production or assembly process. These defects are not a result of the product's design, but rather due to errors, mistakes, or negligence during its manufacturing. For instance, a batch of tires produced with substandard rubber that causes blowouts would fall under this category. In these cases, it is not necessary to show that a safer alternative could have been used. As long as the product is proven to be defective, the manufacturer can be held liable.

Marketing defects involve inadequate warnings or instructions or a misrepresentation of a product's safety. This could include failing to provide necessary safety warnings, omitting instructions on how to use the product safely, or making false claims about the product's safety features. For example, a pharmaceutical company failing to disclose a drug's potential side effects could be held liable for marketing defects.

Our Corpus Christi defective product attorneys are familiar with all types of product liability and can help you enforce your rights if you or someone you love was harmed by a design, manufacturing, or marketing defect. We will fight to hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence and secure the compensation you need to move forward. 

Common Defective and Dangerous Products in Corpus Christi, TX

Every day, you use products that can cause harm if they are defective – appliances, vehicles, food, medicines, and even the clothing you or your children wear. Depending on the circumstances, you could have a case against a manufacturer or seller of a dangerous product.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), significant numbers of injuries have been reported for the following types of products:

• Automobile parts, including brakes and tires. Faulty automobile parts can lead to serious injuries, and in some cases, fatalities. These defects can range from faulty braking systems and tire blowouts to malfunctioning airbags and ineffective seat belts. When these components, designed to ensure the safety of the vehicle's occupants, fail to function as intended, the consequences can be catastrophic. For example, a defective brake system can prevent a driver from stopping the vehicle in time to avoid an accident. Similarly, a malfunctioning airbag might not deploy during a collision, consequently failing to protect the occupants as it should. It may not be immediately apparent whether an automobile defect caused a crash, which is why you should reach out to our Corpus Christi defective product lawyers as soon as you can after a collision. We can investigate the accident and determine whether a faulty component is to blame.
• ATVs and off-highway vehicles. Common defects in these types of vehicles can include issues with steering components, brakes, or throttle mechanisms. For instance, a faulty steering mechanism can make it difficult for riders to control the direction of the vehicle, potentially leading to a loss of control and subsequent accidents. Brake malfunctions can prevent the ATV or off-highway vehicle from stopping promptly, while a defective throttle could cause the vehicle to suddenly accelerate or decelerate. Even protective equipment such as helmets and seat belts can be defective, failing to provide the expected level of safety. These defects can result in serious injuries, particularly given the high speeds and challenging terrains these vehicles are often used in. 
• Carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors play a vital role in ensuring the safety of occupants in homes and businesses. These devices are designed to alert individuals when there is a dangerously high level of CO, an odorless and colorless gas that can be deadly when inhaled. However, a defective carbon monoxide detector can fail to function as expected, leading to potentially lethal consequences. For example, if the detector malfunctions and fails to sound an alarm when CO levels rise, occupants may be unaware of the danger they are in. This could result in CO poisoning, which can lead to severe health impacts such as nausea, dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. In severe cases, exposure to high levels of CO can result in death.
• Appliances. Faulty wiring in household appliances like toasters, microwaves, or washing machines can all lead to fires or electrocution. In fact, many house fires are caused by defective appliances. Similarly, other appliances like refrigerators or freezers can leak harmful gases or chemicals if they are defective or poorly maintained, posing a risk to the health of household members. Defective stoves or ovens can lead to severe burns or fire hazards, while poorly designed or faulty blenders, food processors, or meat grinders can cause lacerations or other injuries.
• Nursery products and children’s products. Nursery and children's products, which include a wide range of items such as cribs, highchairs, strollers, and toys, are designed with the sole intention of providing safety, convenience, and entertainment for our youngest loved ones. However, when these products are defective, they can pose significant risks to children, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. For example, defective cribs can lead to suffocation if the mattress does not fit properly or if the slats are too wide apart. Similarly, a faulty highchair can result in falls if its harness system or lock mechanism is inadequate. Stroller defects, such as ineffective brakes or faulty wheels, can also lead to accidents causing injuries. Children's toys are not exempt from potential hazards: Defective toys with small, detachable parts can pose a choking hazard, while those with sharp edges can cause cuts or lacerations.
• Sports products. A cracked helmet can fail to provide sufficient protection during a fall or collision, leading to head injuries. Faulty safety gear, such as knee pads or wrist guards, might not offer the needed shock absorption in case of an impact, potentially resulting in fractures or sprains. In sports like rock climbing, the consequences of defective equipment can be devastating. A faulty harness or a weak carabiner could lead to falls from great heights, for example. Moreover, defective fitness machines, like treadmills or weightlifting equipment, can lead to strains, sprains, broken bones, or more severe injuries.
• Pools. Pool defects can range from faulty drains that can lead to entrapment and drowning, to improperly installed ladders that can cause slips and falls. Hot tubs and spas, if not correctly wired, can trigger electric shocks, while a malfunctioning heater can dangerously elevate water temperatures. Pool toys and floatation devices, which are intended to enhance enjoyment and safety, can also be hazardous if defective. For instance, a faulty floatation device might fail to keep the swimmer afloat, leading to drowning incidents. Non-compliant pool fences or gates that don't self-latch could allow unsupervised access to children, exposing them to the risk of drowning.

What Compensation Can You Collect from a Product Liability Claim in Corpus Christi, TX?

A product liability claim allows individuals injured by defective or dangerous products to obtain various forms of compensation depending on the circumstances of their case. Generally, the types of compensation available fall under three broad categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in certain cases, punitive damages.

Economic damages refer to quantifiable financial losses associated with the injury or damage caused by the defective product, while non-economic damages are not easily quantifiable as they pertain to the subjective, non-monetary consequences of an injury. Punitive damages may also be awarded in product liability lawsuits, but unlike economic and non-economic damages, this form of compensation is intended to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar conduct. These are usually only awarded in cases where the defendant's actions were particularly negligent, reckless, or malicious. For example, if a manufacturer continued to market a product despite knowing it was defective and could potentially cause harm, a court may award punitive damages as a way of penalizing the manufacturer.

Our Corpus Christi defective product attorneys will fight to obtain maximum compensation for all losses, including:

Hilliard Law has what it takes to win defective product cases. Discuss your situation with our team by calling (361) 882-1612 or contacting us online today!