We hear about defective products on a regular basis in the news. For example, it is not uncommon to hear about faulty children’s toys, defective automobile parts, bad pharmaceutical medications, and more. However, when we look at the government website that keeps track of all current recalls in the country, we can see that there is no industry lacking defective products. This includes the following:
Unfortunately, faulty products can cause severe injuries to consumers. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
When the product liability attorneys in Pacific Northwest at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys investigate these incidents, they often determine that products become defective due to one of three things – a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or a problem with the label or marketing of a product.
If you or somebody you love has been injured due to the careless or negligent actions of a product company or manufacturer, let the team at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys help you today. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling product liability claims in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Our goal is to help injury victims secure full compensation for their losses so that they can focus on recovering from their injuries. If you need a product liability attorney throughout the Pacific Northwest, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
If you’re injured due to a dangerous product in Washington, there is the possibility that you will be eligible to seek damages under the Washington Product Liability Act. Manufacturers and suppliers can be held liable when their products are defective or improperly designed.
My name is Matthew Russell and I represent people who have been injured by negligent manufacturers or companies across Washington State. Many times clients come to us frustrated with an insurance company denying its responsibility for an injury to a product or trying to pay less than the real value of an injury caused by a product.
At my firm, Russell & Hill Law Firm, we investigate every claim thoroughly, secure necessary documentation, and identify any and all parties who may be liable for your injury. We work hard to obtain the maximum compensation available to you so that you can recover physically, mentally and financially from your injuries.
Big manufacturers will move quickly; they have a team of people working to limit their liability, including products liability defense lawyers. You should have a legal advocate who is equally well prepared with you.
At Russell & Hill Law Firm, we are committed to acting quickly to protect evidence and develop your case.
Product liability is the theory that holds manufacturers responsible for injuries caused by their products as a consequence of any defect that resides in the product itself.
A product injury attorney can seek and/or recover damages for:
Washington is subject to comparative negligence; therefore, you may still be entitled to recover damages even if you are partially at fault.
My firm’s product liability attorneys are experienced in representing people who have suffered injury or property damage due to a defective product. We handle all types of claims.
Products are recalled nationwide in the thousands every year. There were more than 400 product recalls in the US in the past few years due to various hazards, according to the CPSC. Hazards included: health hazards (fire), choking hazard (small part retraction), and electrical hazard (Short Circuit).
Common examples:
Our team of defective product liability attorneys near you investigates to determine if there had been any complaints about the defective product before it was sued.
Road accidents in Washington occur for many reasons such as:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps a record of recalls and consumer safety reports. We have utilized this information for defective product lawsuits.
Life-changing injuries can be caused by defective medical devices; such as the examples below:
Liability claims for medical products require extensive/technical analysis. Our lawyers work closely with both physicians and biomedical experts to analyze these claims.
Tools, ladders, heavy machinery, and protective equipment can all have manufacturing defects which cause serious injuries at work. In addition to being eligible for workers’ compensation through their employer, a defective product liability lawyer can file a third-party claim against the manufacturer to recover economic damage.
According to the Washington state laws, potential claims usually fall into three groups:
The item was dangerous since its introduction. i.e. heater made without sufficient thermal cut-off protection.
The design was safe, but something went wrong in manufacturing, (e.g., contamination of a medicine).
The manufacturer did not warn consumers properly or did not provide proper instructions. Our attorneys who specialize in product defects will evaluate which legal theory applies to your particular case and potentially more than one will apply.
Experienced products liability lawyers help you prove the following:
You must show:
1. There is a defect in the product.
2. When it left the manufacturer, it had the defect.
3. The defect was the direct cause of your injury.
4. You used the product as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner.
Our firm gathers sufficient evidence to establish a strong case which can withstand the defenses presented by the product manufacturer and/or their defense attorneys.
Washington’s law has some interesting features.
In general, you do not need to prove someone was negligent; you only need to show that the item was defective and caused harm.
Washington uses pure comparative negligence, so if you are partially at fault, you will still be entitled to collect damages, but they may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Typically, a victim has three years to file a lawsuit from the date an injury occurred. If a victim waits too long to file a lawsuit they may be precluded from recovering.
Therefore, it is important to contact a Washington product liability attorney as soon as possible.
The assumption is that the manufacturer has liability, but this isn’t necessarily the case; there are many possible defendants (liable parties) including:
An experienced defective product attorney near me will conduct a complete investigation into the entire supply chain.
Severity of the injury will determine amount of damages awarded for negligence.
| Damage Category | Examples |
| Economic Damages | Medical bills, rehabilitation, lost income |
| Non-Economic Damages | Pain, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life |
| Future Damages | Continued care, future earnings potential decrease |
Some catastrophic cases may incur damages in the millions. Our attorneys use calculations to determine both the immediate and future loss that our clients will incur.
There isn’t a set timeline for claims. Cases are resolved usually within 6-12 months for “simple” claims. Litigation with large manufacturers could take a number of years.
The factors that affect timing include:
We are working hard to prepare for court but will also work diligently to settle before going to court.
By a Product Liability Attorney at Russell & Hill Law Firm
A resident of Washington was seriously injured when the power tools he was using malfunctioned during use. The power tool had a problem with the blade housing shattering while using the power tool, which left the resident with serious injuries to his arm and nerve damage. Although there was clear evidence of the tool malfunctioning, the manufacturer’s insurance company did not take full responsibility for the injury and offered the resident a settlement that did not come close to covering the necessary surgeries or rehabilitation.
The attorneys at Russell & Hill Law Firm collected internal safety reports and worked with experts to show that the design flaw of the power tool directly caused the resident’s injury. The attorneys retained some of the top engineers and medical experts to demonstrate and illustrate the types of damage done to his nerves in addition to how he would have permanent and irreversible nerve damage and a reduced quality of life. The firm had all the evidence and would have presented the relevant information to a jury in Washington State.
Russell & Hill Law Firm was able to obtain the injured party’s medical expenses to cover surgical expenses, future surgical expenses, lost income for 6 months from being injured and damages for pain and suffering caused by the injury. The total settlement was over four times the manufacturer’s original settlement offer. The financial support from the settlement allowed the injured party to focus on recovering and looking after their well-being for the future.
Russell & Hill Law Firm has been providing high-quality legal representation since 1990. Our team of skilled lawyers understands that product manufacturers must take responsibility for their products. We will work with you to protect your legal rights and pursue your rightful compensation for all your losses, including those that are past and those that will occur in the future. You will not have any out-of-pocket fees for attorney services unless we win your case because we accept cases through contingency fees.
Call us now at 800-529-0842 to schedule a free consultation with one of our trusted Washington product liability attorneys.
Variation in injury severity, degree of medical care needed, and the strength of evidence will influence the amount of a settlement. Minor injuries may settle for thousands of dollars, whereas the amount for catastrophic injuries can range into the six or seven figure range.
In most cases, yes. Manufacturers retain defense attorneys who focus on reducing the amount they pay out, so hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in product liability will help increase your chances of being fully compensated.
Russell & Hill Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis. You will not have to pay anything up-front and will not have to pay any attorney’s fees unless we successfully resolve your case.
Most cases are settled prior to reaching the courtroom. However, being prepared for trial often provides more leverage for the claimant and can lead to a larger settlement offer than would have been received otherwise.
Yes. A product recall can be utilized as supportive evidence of your claim, but you may still have an established claim even though there was no recall issued for that product.
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If you would like more information or would like to talk to us about how we could help you.
Have questions or need personalized legal assistance? Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll discuss how we can support you every step of the way.
9212 E Montgomery Ave Suite 401-5, Spokane Valley, WA 99206
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