Consumer products

Las Vegas Defective Consumer Products Attorneys

Helping consumers injured by dangerous and faulty household products

As consumers, we use dozens of products every day. From our hairdryers to our laptops, these appliances and electronics are part of our daily routines and we trust them to work as advertised. We assume that manufacturers design, manufacture, and test their products to ensure they’re safe to use. All too often, however, a defective product makes its way onto the shelves, and as a result, people suffer harm.

At Claggett & Sykes Law Firm in Las Vegas, our product liability attorneys help consumers injured by unsafe and dangerous goods and products. These are products that cause harm due to a flaw, malfunction, or defect when a manufacturer fails to take proper safety precautions. If you or a loved one suffered injury from a defective household product, get in touch with our legal team today to find out how we can help.

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“I normally don't write reviews, but I was impressed with everyone I came in contact with at Claggett & Sykes. They kept me informed from start to finish. The medical teams they use are good, and I'm happy with the final outcome.” – Denise S.

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Quick Questions

When is a product considered defective?

In the simplest terms, a defective product is any product that’s unreasonably dangerous or harmful when being used for its intended purpose. This means that the product was inherently dangerous due to design, manufacturing, or marketing defect. Common defective consumer products include appliances, electronics, furniture, and children’s products.

What kinds of injuries do defective products cause?

Defective products have caused some of the most devastating injuries there are. Claggett & Sykes helps families whose loved ones have suffered:

  • Wrongful death
  • Crushing injuries leading to amputations
  • Permanent nerve damage
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Internal organ damage

Defective and faulty products cause car and truck accidents, choking injuries, drowning and suffocation injuries, and loss of limb. They can render a person permanently paralyzed or brain damaged. When they do, seeking justice on your own can be impossible, as these manufacturers have teams of lawyers on their side to defend their negligence. Let us help.

What are some examples of defective consumer products?

In 2020, almost 11 million Americans sought emergency room treatment for injuries from consumer products. And, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), the majority of these injuries happen to older adults and young children. The NSC’s top three most dangerous consumer products for 2020 were:

  • Stairs, ramps, landings, and floors – 2.7 million injuries
  • Beds, pillows, and mattresses – 816,000 injuries
  • Chairs, sofas, and sofa beds – 545,000 injuries

Children aged zero to four have one of the highest injury rates, experiencing the most harm from products like household chemicals, unsecured furniture, and stoves.

Defective products are typically recalled from the market. However, it often takes a tragedy to call attention to the problem in the first place. The Las Vegas attorneys at Claggett & Sykes can help.

What is a consumer product recall?

A recall happens when a manufacturer or government agency requests the return of a batch or run of a consumer product, typically due to a defect or safety issue. For consumer products, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees this process, with jurisdiction over thousands of products we use around the home, at work, and in school.

The CPSC set up SaferProducts.gov, a website where consumers can search for as well as report unsafe products. They also list all current and past recalled consumer products here.

A recall can encompass a variety of actions, including:

  • Recovering the product from the consumer
  • Repairing, upgrading, or replacing the product
  • Providing additional parts or documentation

Recalls can be voluntary or mandatory. In a voluntary recall, manufacturers act on information received through consumer feedback, testing, or regulatory authorities. With mandatory recalls, the CPSC orders a manufacturer to recall a product when they fail to take the appropriate action to mitigate the safety risk to consumers.

Whether or not a product is subject to recall, if you experience harm while using it, it’s important to talk to an experienced Las Vegas product liability attorney for guidance.

What should I do if I’m injured by a defective product?

If you or a member of your family are injured by a household product, the steps you take immediately after can be crucial in any potential personal injury case. After a faulty consumer product causes harm, the following actions can help protect your health and your legal rights:

  • Seek medical attention. Medical help should always be your main priority, even if your injuries seem minor. Small injuries can worsen without proper care, and you’ll need medical documentation to build your case. Save all your medical records and prescriptions, and consider keeping photos of your injury progression.
  • Preserve evidence. Save the product that caused your injuries. Don’t tamper with it, attempt to repair it, or return it to the manufacturer. The product will be the main piece of evidence in your case. Store it along with everything associated with it, including packaging, receipts, and instruction booklets. Take photos of the product and the accident scene, and write down your recollection of what you were doing when the incident occurred.
  • Talk to a defective product attorney. A skilled product liability attorney can advise you as to next steps, like the strength of your claim and how to proceed next. Our legal team can answer all of your questions and even investigate as to whether the product that caused you harm has injured others in the past. We’ll work to ensure that never happens again – that’s our promise to you.

In Nevada, you have a limited amount of time  from the date of the incident to file a product liability claim, so ensure you get in touch with Claggett & Sykes as soon as possible so we can begin working on your case.

Who is liable when I’m injured by a defective product in Las Vegas?

A product defect can occur in any stage of product development, which means many different parties may be at fault. Manufacturers must take care to implement safety procedures during every part of the process, and when they don’t, they should be held liable when consumers suffer harm. As the injured plaintiff, you typically file a claim against a company under one of the following:

  • Strict liability. Under the theory of strict liability here in Nevada, you’re not required to prove negligence on the part of the manufacturer to bring a claim. You must establish that the product had a dangerous defect and that defect caused you injury.
  • Negligence. Claims based on a manufacturer’s negligence mean that the company failed to use reasonable care when designing or manufacturing a product. Examples could include improper safety testing, unqualified employees, or use of substandard materials.

The store or retailer that sold the product may also be liable for your injuries under a theory of strict liability. Our attorneys can provide more guidance about your particular situation.

What’s the value of my Las Vegas defective product case?

The costs of suffering a serious injury can be tremendous. Things like medical bills and loss of a paycheck, can add up and cause financial stress on top of your physical and mental pain. Everyone’s claim and everyone’s injuries are different, as will be the outcome of every case. When we take your case, we calculate the value of your claim by determining a number of factors, including:

  • The severity of your injuries, and how they’ll affect your life going forward.
  • The amount of missed work and if you’ll be able to return to your previous job.
  • The amount of your pain and suffering.

We prove your damages through your medical records and documentation, photos of your injuries, witness and expert testimony, and investigations into your accident.

Call a Las Vegas defective consumer product lawyers today

At Claggett & Sykes Law Firm, we have the resources to take on companies and manufacturers when their products harm innocent consumers. If you or a loved one were injured by a household appliance or product, get in touch with our Las Vegas product liability attorneys to find out how we can help make things right. To set up a free consultation in our Las Vegas offices, call 702-333-7777 or fill out our contact form today.