In the ideal world, manufacturers would create products that have zero faults, but you know from personal experience that this is unrealistic. Faulty goods happen, and while it is an inconvenience returning them to the supplier, chances are high that the replacement will not have the same problem.
However, what do you do if a faulty product injures you? The inconvenience has just been amplified – you may need to seek medical treatment, have time off work and reschedule planned activities.
Electrical equipment is the main culprit for causing injuries, but other everyday items can cause injuries:
- Defective braking systems on cars
- Children’s toys that have toxic paint
- Contaminated food and drink
- Faulty medical devices such as those used for contraception
- Beauty treatments that cause reactions
The list is endless, but when a manufacturer develops products for sale, they have a duty of care to supply a product that does what it says on the tin, without risk of harm to the user through negligence. For example, if a bottle of chemical cleaner had to be opened with force due to a fault with the cap, and the corrosive liquid burned the skin of the user, the company would be liable.
So, what should you do if a faulty product injures you?
1. Seek medical care
You should always seek medical treatment if you have become injured. Your health is the main priority; however, you should ensure that you keep all parts of the product and do not be tempted to get rid of them. You will need the details later to make a claim with a firm of lawyers such as The Compensation Experts. Keep all receipts and documents that you are given from the medical practitioner that you see.
2. Take photographs/videos of your injuries and the product
It’s so easy to take photographs and make a film of your injuries and the product in situ, that it would be foolhardy not to. You will be familiar with the phrase a picture tells a thousand words! Take an image of any product serial numbers, the packaging and any receipts that you have relating to the product – it means that the information can easily be communicated to the suppliers, manufacturers, and your lawyer.
3. Contact a lawyer
You can seek compensation yourself for a personal injuries claim; however, the manufacturers, suppliers and their insurance companies will be professional in their approach with you and will try to give you a minimum amount of compensation. It is best to instruct lawyers to act on your behalf; you will not put your claim at risk, you will not have the stress of having to negotiate, and you will have professionals representing you to get fair and just compensation.
4. Document all expenses incurred as a result of the injury
You may just be thinking that you will be able to claim for the injury itself, but often injuries affect the ability to work, you may need a course of long-term medication, rehabilitation costs, additional transport costs (taxis if you are unable to drive), help with childcare, etc. The financial impact of your injury can incur all kinds of unexpected costs, so make sure that you document them accurately.
Faulty products are not only an inconvenience to replace, but they can impact your life on a grander scale. It is important that manufacturers and suppliers are made aware of possible faults with their products so that, if necessary, they can be recalled protecting the wider public.
