Greenville Product Liability Lawyer
Understanding the impact of unsafe products on individuals and families is at the heart of product liability law. This area of law compassionately acknowledges the trust consumers place in manufacturers, distributors, and sellers, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding this trust by ensuring products are free from harm.
It’s about protecting you and your loved ones from the unexpected dangers that can arise when products fail to meet safety standards.
If a defective product has hurt you or someone you care about, you might feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. Product liability law is your weapon, and Riddle & Brantley Greenville product liability lawyers are here to offer a path to justice, holding those responsible accountable for the pain and suffering their products have caused.
Victims can seek the compensation they deserve by demonstrating that a product’s defect directly resulted in injury. This legal approach underscores the belief that companies have a fundamental duty to ensure their products do not pose a risk to consumers, emphasizing a commitment to safety and well-being.
Why Choose Riddle & Brantley for Your Product Liability Needs?
At Riddle & Brantley, we are not just a team of attorneys but your dedicated partners in navigating the challenging waters of personal injury law.
Our approach is rooted in a deep commitment to achieving legal success and providing unwavering support and compassion to individuals and families affected by accidents or the tragic loss of a loved one due to negligence.
Here’s why making us your choice can make all the difference:
Experienced and Compassionate Legal Representation
With over 220 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys bring a profound depth of knowledge to your case and a passionate commitment to justice and improving your quality of life.
Our mission is to secure the best possible outcomes for you and your loved ones, focusing on building relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. (See disclaimer below.)
Personalized and Attentive Service
We understand that navigating the aftermath of an injury or loss is incredibly challenging. That’s why we prioritize compassionate and reliable customer service, ensuring you feel supported, informed, and secure throughout your legal journey. Our approach is to serve not just as your attorneys but as your advocates and confidants.
A Commitment to Justice for All
Our belief in the justice system’s power to provide fair and equal access underpins everything we do. Licensed to practice across North Carolina, we are dedicated to fighting for your rights, advocating on behalf of those who feel voiceless against formidable opponents like insurance companies and large corporations.
Deep Roots and Broad Reach
We are deeply rooted in the North Carolina community, with offices in Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, and Kinston. Our founder, Gene Riddle, embodies the hard work and dedication at the core of our practice. We proudly serve clients across North Carolina and those visiting from other states, offering our experience wherever it’s needed.
A Team That Understands Your Needs
Our team includes 11 attorneys, Board Certified Workers Compensation professionals, and members of prestigious legal forums, all supported by knowledgeable paralegals, case managers, and investigators. With many bilingual staff members, we ensure that no language barrier stands in the way of seeking justice. Our 24/7 availability means we’re here for you anytime, day or night.
Giving Back to the Community
Our commitment extends beyond the courtroom. We are deeply invested in the well-being of our communities, participating in local fundraisers and events and advocating for safety through initiatives like our Safety Counts videos. At Riddle & Brantley, we believe in making a difference for our clients and the community at large.
Your Advocates, Support System, and Partners in Justice
Choosing Riddle & Brantley means choosing a law firm that values your well-being as much as your legal success. We’re here to guide you through every step of your legal journey, offering skilled representation and compassionate support. Let us be your voice, advocates, and partners in seeking justice.
Discover the difference at Riddle & Brantley – where your fight becomes our fight, and your victory is our shared success.
What Is Product Liability Law?
Product liability law is a legal domain that holds manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and suppliers accountable for any damage caused by defective or dangerous products they release into the market.
This area of law is designed to protect consumers from harm caused by products that fail to meet reasonable safety standards.
It encompasses three types of product defects:
- Design Defects: These inherent flaws in a product’s design make it unsafe before it is made.
- Manufacturing Defects: These occur during the production or assembly of the product, resulting in a dangerous or defective product even if the design was safe.
- Marketing Defects: Also known as “failure to warn” defects, these involve inadequate instructions, warnings, or recommendations regarding the product’s use, which could lead to unsafe use or exposure.
Victims of defective products can file a product liability lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries, damages, or losses incurred due to the defective product.
To succeed in such a claim, the plaintiff typically needs to demonstrate that the product was defective, the defect caused their injury, and they were using the product as intended at the time of the injury.
Depending on the jurisdiction’s laws, product liability claims can be based on various legal theories, including negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty. Under strict liability, for example, the plaintiff does not need to prove negligence; instead, they only need to demonstrate that the product was defective and led to their injury.
This area of law aims to encourage manufacturers to produce safe products, remedy injured consumers and spread the costs of injuries resulting from defective products across society. Product liability law varies by country and, in the United States, by state, affecting the specifics of pursuing a claim and making a lawyer a valued addition.
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove My Product Liability Claim?
Successfully proving a product liability claim takes evidence that demonstrates the product was defective and that this defect directly caused your injury or loss.
The specific type of evidence required can vary depending on the nature of the claim and the jurisdiction, but generally, it includes:
- Proof of the Defect: You need to establish that the product was defective. This can involve showing a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or a failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions. Evidence can include the defective product, photographs, professional analysis and testimony, and comparisons with similar products.
- Proof of Injury or Damage: Documentation of the injuries or damages you suffered due to the defect is crucial. This can include medical records, bills, photographs of your injuries, and reports from doctors or other medical professionals detailing the extent of your injuries and the treatment required.
- Proof of Causation: It’s essential to link the defect in the product directly to your injury or damage. This means showing that your injury directly resulted from using the product as intended (or in a reasonably foreseeable way) and that the defect specifically caused your injury.
- Proof of Use: Evidence that you were using the product in the way intended to be used, or in a way that the manufacturer could reasonably expect, when the injury occurred. Instructions, warnings provided with the product, and user manuals can help establish the intended use.
- Product Identification: You need to prove that the defendant manufactured, distributed, sold, or was otherwise responsible for the product that caused your injury. This might involve providing receipts, warranties, packaging, or other documentation linking the product to the defendant.
- Expert Testimony: Professionals in fields relevant to your claim, such as product design, engineering, medical professionals, and safety standards, can provide critical evidence about the nature of the defect, its dangerousness, the causation of your injuries, and the extent of your damages.
- Witness Statements: Testimony from people who witnessed the accident or your injury, or who can attest to the product’s defective nature, can be valuable. This may include bystanders, family members, or co-workers.
Gathering this evidence can be complex and time-consuming. It often requires the assistance of legal professionals who can help build a compelling case. A product liability attorney can guide you through the process, help gather the necessary evidence, and represent your interests in negotiations or court.
Your Community Counts on You
Pursuing a product liability case can have broader social implications beyond the immediate legal dispute between the plaintiff and the defendant. These cases seek justice for the individual harmed by a defective product and play a crucial role in promoting public safety, consumer protection, and corporate accountability.
Here are some of the key social implications of product liability cases:
1. Enhancing Product Safety
Product liability cases spotlight unsafe products and can compel manufacturers to improve safety standards. When a company faces litigation for a defective product, it can lead to enhanced testing, design changes, and better-quality control to prevent future harm. This, in turn, benefits all consumers by reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Setting Legal Precedents
Significant product liability cases can set legal precedents influencing future litigation and regulatory standards. These precedents can define the responsibilities of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers regarding product safety, thereby shaping the legal landscape for consumer protection.
3. Influencing Regulatory Changes
These cases often reveal existing regulations or enforcement gaps, prompting lawmakers and regulatory agencies to introduce stricter safety standards and oversight mechanisms. By highlighting areas where regulation may be lacking, product liability lawsuits can lead to legislative changes that enhance consumer protection.
4. Raising Public Awareness
Product liability litigation can draw public attention to potentially dangerous products and unsafe industry practices. Media coverage and public discourse around these cases can educate consumers about the risks associated with certain products, empowering them to make informed decisions and take preventive measures.
5. Encouraging Corporate Responsibility
Product liability cases’ potential financial and reputational repercussions incentivize companies to prioritize consumer safety. Corporations are more likely to invest in comprehensive safety protocols and ethical business practices because they may be held accountable for negligence or oversights.
6. Promoting Consumer Rights
By successfully holding companies accountable for defective products, product liability cases reinforce the rights of consumers to expect safe, reliable products and to seek redress when those expectations are not met. This strengthens the overall framework of consumer rights.
7. Deterrent Effect
The prospect of litigation and the associated costs can deter companies from considering cutting corners on product safety. Product liability litigation’s deterrent effect helps companies maintain high standards in product design, manufacturing, and marketing.
8. Community and Individual Empowerment
These cases can provide a sense of justice and empowerment for communities and individuals affected by widespread product-related injuries or damages. They offer a pathway to hold powerful entities accountable and to voice concerns in a public way.
Product liability cases, therefore, have far-reaching implications that extend beyond the parties involved, contributing to a safer, more informed, and more accountable society.
Don’t Negotiate Your Health and Future. Call Us Today
Hiring a product liability lawyer is crucial for injuries or damages caused by defective products. These highly skilled attorneys possess the experience needed to navigate the complex legal landscape of product liability claims, ensuring that victims can effectively assert their rights against powerful manufacturers and distributors.
With an in-depth understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, product liability lawyers are adept at gathering the necessary evidence, engaging with experts, and constructing compelling arguments highlighting responsible parties’ negligence or oversight.
In an environment where consumer protection is paramount, a product liability lawyer serves as a crucial advocate, ensuring that justice is pursued and that companies are held accountable for the safety of their products.
Let us handle the legal aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery. Call an experienced Personal injury lawyer in Greenville today at (252) 397-8620 for your free consultation and take the first step toward obtaining the justice and compensation you deserve.
Riddle & Brantley Accident Injury Lawyers
509 Evans St.
Greenville, NC 27858
Phone: (252) 397-8620
By Appointment Only.
Hours of Operation*
Monday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday – 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday – 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM