Defective Products Claims
Manufacturers and producers are responsible for following strict regulatory guidelines intended to protect consumers from defective products and in this way we, as consumers, should feel confident that the products we use are safe.
The 1987 Consumer Protection Act sets down strict safety laws that govern all products produced and sold. Unfortunately not all manufacturers and suppliers abide by these rules. There are still products sold which are not suitable for use and which may cause harm to users.
If these responsibilities are breached and you become ill or injured because of using or being prescribed a product, and it is possible to prove that it was defective, you may be able to make a product liability claim.
Product liability claims can be wide-ranging and can be related to negligence in the manufacture or testing of the product, or the product itself may be found to be defective. This means it has an adverse effect on the user. Examples of products include:
- Medical devices, such as hip joints, heart valves, cosmetic (eg breast) implants, corneal implants and contraceptive devices
- Drugs or medicines
- Food stuffs, which can give rise to e-coli, CJD, or salmonella for example
- Hair products, such as hair dryers, tongs, and chemical treatments
It is necessary to prove that the product is sub-standard and to prove that it has caused injury or illness. This is often difficult and the cases can be extremely complex. For this reason it is important to have a solicitor with appropriate experience and expertise in product liability claims, which is where our solicitors can help.
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