Those who live and work in Hawaii, as well as those who visit the state, don’t give much thought to the products they use. This is for good reason. After all, federal regulations seek to ensure the safety of these products so that consumers are not put in harm’s way. Under these regulations, many products, including medications and automobiles, must undergo rigorous testing. In theory, this testing weeds out unsafe products. However, the sad reality is that far too many dangerous or defective products make it into the market, and innocent, unsuspecting consumers are injured as a result.
Fortunately, individuals who are harmed by dangerous products may be able to recover compensation for their damages, which may include pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. In order to successfully recover this compensation, though, these individuals must demonstrate that the product in question was defective in some way. This can occur in one of three ways.
The first way is through a design defect. Here, a product contains a dangerous flaw from its inception. In other words, the very design of the product renders it inherently unsafe The second type of defect is a manufacturing defect. In these situations, a product may be safely designed, but something goes wrong in its creation that renders it dangerous. There may be an improper seal, a material that is too weak may be utilized or too much of a certain chemical is included in the product.
The third way a defect can arise is through product marketing. Here, products either have inadequate safety labels or side effects are not accurately disclosed. The correct way to use a product can also be misleading, thereby causing injuries.
A defective product should harm no one. Yet, it happens all the time, oftentimes leaving victims with extensive damages. Those victims who want to consider their legal options, including pursuing a product liability claim may want to speak with a personal injury attorney of their choosing. This could help in the pursuit of compensation while holding a negligent party accountable for the harms suffered.