Product Liability
Manufacturers and store owners have a responsibility
to consumers. They must ensure that the products they
sell are neither defective nor inherently dangerous.
If a dangerous or defective product injures an unwary
consumer, the manufacturer (and sometimes the designer,
distributor, wholesaler, or retailer) is considered
legally liable, as long as the consumer was using the
product as it was meant to be used when he or she was
injured. Whether the product is a hairdryer or an automobile
tire, manufacturers must make sure that products are
designed and made safely, that quality control systems
prevent defective products from entering the market,
and that adequate directions and warning labels are
available to protect consumers. The following areas
of law fall under the heading "Products Liability":
Crashworthiness
Crashworthiness is one aspect of vehicle safety (the
other being accident avoidance equipment). It deals
with protecting drivers and passengers in the event
of a collision. Crashworthiness features include seatbelts,
air bags, roll bars, side impact bars, and "crumple
zones." Vehicles may be uncrashworthy due to manufacturing
defects (e.g. an air bag that does not fully inflate)
or design defects (e.g. a roll bar that is not placed
in an appropriate location). Vehicle manufacturers are
responsible for the crashworthiness of their cars, trucks,
and SUVs whether they are aware of potential safety
hazards or not. Please contact
us to learn more.
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Defective Tires
The Firestone tire recall in August 2000 brought to
the forefront the issue of defective tires. Tire defects
can result in serious injuries to both drivers and passengers.
Tread separation and blowouts have been responsible
for numerous injuries and deaths, and the rates of such
accidents have been higher among truck and SUV drivers.
Like other manufacturers, tire makers have a responsibility
to ensure that their products do not harm consumers.
If they do, the manufacturer may be held strictly liable
under the law. Please contact
our firm today.
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Defective Highway Design
The population explosion in recent years has turned
ordinary highways into nests of traffic. If roads cannot
support the amount or speed of traffic, driver safety
can be seriously compromised. Properly supported construction,
well-planned curves, effective traffic dividers, and
clear signs are all good design practices. If you believe
that an auto accident may have occurred due to failure
in one or more of these aspects of roadway design, please
contact our firm today.
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Pressure-treated Wood
CCA, or chromated copper arsenic, is a chemical that
is often used to treat wood. It functions as a pesticide
and also protects the wood from fungus and mold. Pressure-treated
wood is used in decks, playground structures, fences,
and other structures, but after 2003, CCA will no longer
be allowed to be used to treat wood. This is because
of concerns over the possible consequences of exposure
to CCA by people who work with or use pressure-treated
wood. CCA may also leak into ground water, where it
can harm people. If you or a loved one has suffered
from arsenic poisoning or another health consequence
of exposure to the CCA in pressure-treated wood, we
can help. Please contact our
firm today.
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Dangerous Drugs
Unfortunately, there are many drugs on the market which
are inherently dangerous. Many have not received FDA-approval
but are being sold in health food stores and by organic
retailers; many more FDA-approved drugs were not adequately
tested for side effects before being made available
to the public. Even if a drug has since been taken off
the shelves, parties who have been injured by those drugs
are still entitled to compensation. If you have been
injured by a defective drug, we can help. Please contact
us today.
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Aviation Law
Most people fly for business or pleasure at some point
in their lives. They expect the planes they ride in
and the pilots who fly them to meet certain standards.
When an aviation accident occurs, the case can be complicated,
in part because more than one state (and sometimes more
than one nation) may be involved. From the smallest
personal aircraft to the largest passenger jets, experience
is necessary to find who is at fault in an accident
and bring closure to the injured parties. If you or
a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident,
please contact our firm today.
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Maritime Law
Swimming, diving, or boating accidents can be devastating
and confusing. Legally, aquatic accident cases can be
complicated. A swimmer diving into a shallow pool on
private property falls under entirely different jurisdiction
than a boating collision on ocean waters. Experience
with admiralty and property laws is vital to successful
resolution of an aquatic accident case. If you or a
loved one has been the victim of an aquatic accident,
please contact our firm today.
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