Legal Representation for Defective Products

Defective Products Legal Representation

At Troutman Law Office, we understand the devastating impact a defective product can have on your life. With over 40 years of experience, Matt Troutman, our personal injury attorney, is here to represent injured parties in Louisville, KY, Lexington, KY, and beyond in Kentucky and Ohio. Whether it's a faulty appliance or a hazardous toy, we're ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today to discuss your case and secure the expert legal support you need.

Signs It's Time to Contact a Defective Products Attorney

If you're unsure whether you need professional legal assistance, consider the following situations. Recognizing these signs early can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case:

• Experiencing injury due to a malfunctioning product
• Medical bills piling up from product-related injuries
• Lost wages due to time off work after an injury
• Manufacturer denying responsibility for a defective product
• Defective product causing long-term health issues

Contact Troutman Law Office to explore how we can help you with your defective product case.

How to Identify a Defective Product Claim as Described by a Defective Product Lawyer

• A chair that collapses when a man attempts to sit in it causing a rotator cuff tear
• A vehicle that has a spare tire located in the rear of the vehicle next to the gas tank resulting in a tank explosion in a normal rear-end vehicle accident
• A bag dispenser that detaches from a grocery store shelf when it is being used, causing a hand injury requiring surgery
• A ladder rung that breaks as a man attempts to climb it

These are examples of defective product cases handled by Troutman Law Office. They are only a few examples of defective product claims. Any product that fails to work as intended or reasonably expected and as a result causes personal injury constitutes a defective product claim. Other examples include medications and almost anything you buy off the shelf at a store.

Three Types of Product Liability Claims

• Design defects: Products that are inherently dangerous based upon design alone are called design defect cases. One example is a car that is designed to be top heavy and as a result creates a high risk of rollover. Another example of a design defect is a Troutman Law Office case mentioned above where the spare tire of a vehicle was designed to be located next to the gas tank so that a rear-end collision would cause the spare tire to pierce the gas tank and cause a devastating fire that severely burned children in the back seat.
• Manufacturing defects: Manufacturing defects are the most common product liability claim and they allege that a defect took place in the making of the product that made it dangerous and caused injury to a person. A manufacturing defect exists if the product does not conform to its intended design and fails to perform safely as intended.
• Warning or labeling defects: The final type of products liability claim is the claim that the product had some inherent danger and that the manufacturer should have known about and failed to warn the consumer about prior to use. This claim can include the purchase of scolding hot coffee from a restaurant. The key to this claim is the manufacturer knew or should have known of the danger and did not tell the consumer and the consumer was injured as a result.

The Most Important Thing to Do After Being Injured by a Defective Product: Preserve the Product

The most important thing to do after being injured by a defective product is to preserve the product itself and/or take detailed pictures of the product. If the product is lost or destroyed without any pictures taken in its defective condition, it is virtually impossible to prevail in a defective products case.

If you do not own the product, then you must take detailed pictures and contact a defective product attorney as quickly as possible. This will allow the defective product lawyer to send a certified letter to the owner of the product requesting that they maintain the condition of the product during the pendency of the claim. If the owner fails to maintain the product after receiving the letter from the attorney, then they will be subject to some presumptions of guilt regarding the condition of the product.

Of course, if you own the product, then you need to maintain the product in the exact condition it was in at the time of the injury. This may mean that you need to have the product covered or stored in a safe place to protect its condition.

Defective Product Claims Normally Involved a Battle of Expert Witnesses

Most defective products cases require the employing of an expert to testify regarding the defective nature of the product, which is one of the reasons that the defective product must be preserved so the expert can review and test it. This type of case often comes down to a battle of the experts, and the hiring of the expert requires a significant investment on behalf of the defective product lawyer.

Therefore, it is impractical to make a claim for minor injuries. Only serious injuries requiring surgery or causing death are worth the investment required in a defective products case.

Defective Product Claims Need to Be Filed Within One Year After the Accident or Injury

Defective product cases, also called product liability cases, need to be filed within one year from the date of injury. Normally, they end up in federal court because the manufacturer is located in another state. It can take a year or more to litigate these claims, and they are challenging and difficult to win.

Kentucky law establishes some presumptions that make it more difficult to prevail in a product liability claim. First, if the alleged defect occurs more than five years after sale of the product or more than eight years after its manufacture, there is a presumption that the product is not defective.

Secondly, the product is presumed not to be defective if it was manufactured in accordance with the prevailing standards for manufacturing and testing at the time of its manufacture. The difficulty of these claims makes it important to find a lawyer with the experience and determination to get the job done.

The Benefits of Hiring a Defective Products Attorney

Engaging a professional from Troutman Law Office comes with numerous advantages. Let us handle the complexities of your case while you focus on recovery:

• Expert legal advice and representation
• Thorough investigation and evidence collection
• Strong negotiation skills for maximum compensation
• Experienced courtroom representation if needed
• Personal attention and tailored legal strategies

Get in touch with us to engage the legal expertise you need.

Why You Should Contact Troutman Law Office Now

When dealing with a defective product, prompt action is crucial. Here’s why choosing Troutman Law Office can make all the difference:

• 24/7 answering service
• Free consultations and case evaluations
• Emergency consultations available
• Direct communication with an attorney, not a paralegal
• Contingency fees - you only pay if we win your case
• Zoom consultations for your convenience

Reach out to us today to discuss your case and take the first step toward justice.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, don't wait. Contact Troutman Law Office to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney. We're committed to providing the personal attention and expert legal representation you need. Let us help you secure the compensation you deserve.