What Should I Do with a Defective Product?

If you have been injured or suffered damage to your property due to a defective product, your next steps may seem straightforward. The company that makes the product hurt you, so it should be a simple matter of demanding a refund and recompense for your costs, right?

However, in reality your best course of action is to contact an experienced product liability attorney. Defective product litigation is complicated, and you may receive significantly less than you deserve in compensation if you try to go it alone.

Patrick Daniel Law has extensive experience in many types of defective product cases. If you or a loved one suffered injury because of a product defect, please call (713) 999-6666 today for a free consultation. Our lawyers serve clients in Houston, all of Texas, and nationwide.

How Can I Help Build My Defective Product Case?

Getting qualified legal assistance should be your first priority after any injury from a defective product. Your lawyer can advise you what to do with the product and how to begin building your case.

However, before you hire an attorney, there are several steps you can take to preserve the integrity of your claim:

1. Keep the Product

When companies recall products, they always recommend throwing away the product or turning it over to a designated agent for disposal. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for companies to release defective products and fail to recall them until after dozens if not hundreds of people have been hurt.

Unless keeping the product poses a danger to you or your family, it is actually in your best interest to hold on to the product. If you still have the product, your lawyer can examine it with the assistance of experts to determine the nature of the defect, how it may have occurred, and other elements that may be crucial to your case.

2. Store the Product Safely

If you can keep the product without endangering yourself, the next step is to ensure that it is stored safely until you can turn it over to your attorney and his or her team. Many defective products, such as defective indoor or outdoor furniture, ladders, and hand tools, can simply be boxed up and stored someplace safe until your lawyer asks for it. In other cases, however, it is beneficial to take additional precautions:

• With dangerous medications, keep any leftover drugs and packaging in a dry, room-temperature location where you and your family will not take any by mistake
• With dangerous appliances and electronic devices, disconnect the product from the power supply and store it away from anything that poses a fire risk (ex: loose papers, cloth, carpeting, and household chemicals)
• If you were in a car accident caused by a defective vehicle part, make sure your attorney and other experts have a chance to examine the vehicle thoroughly; do not have the vehicle repaired or allow it to be destroyed

In cases involving defective agricultural products, you need to be conscious of the threat to your property and your workers. Your best course of action is to store it away from other tools and equipment, as well as any hazardous materials.

3. Gather Documents for the Product

Any documents that prove you bought the product, where you bought it, and when you bought it may be helpful for your case. If possible, try to find paperwork such as:

• Receipts for the product
• Warranty and other documents included with the product
• Prescriptions from your doctor (in cases involving dangerous or defective drugs)
• Invoices for maintenance and repairs (if relevant)

Your lawyers will review these documents and use them to build a strong claim on your behalf.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Defective Product Claim

One of the complexities underlying product liability litigation concerns which party is responsible for the defect. Most products go through an extensive series of steps before they hit the market, from design to manufacture of component parts to assembly to sale and marketing. Multiple companies are often involved in the supply chain.

It is crucial to contact a defective product lawyer who can identify where the negligence occurred that resulted in your injuries.

Through prompt and thorough investigation, our lawyers will identify the party or parties liable for your injuries. We will then pursue compensation on your behalf.

Contact Patrick Daniel Law Today

The attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law have extensive experience representing consumers who have been harmed by a wide range of products. We understand the nuances of these cases, and we can advise you of your legal rights if you have been harmed by a product defect. When you hire Patrick Daniel Law, our team is meticulous, strategic, and merciless in building your case and pursuing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

If you need assistance with a defective product claim, please call (713) 999-6666 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our lawyers serve Houston and and areas throughout Texas, as well as clients throughout the country.