When product manufacturers fail you, we won't: Hire our NYC product liability lawyers today
Unfortunately, many manufacturers, or other entities in the supply chain, may not take the duty they are tasked with when distributing products to the public as seriously as they should because they are focused on profits over safety. As a result, people can be seriously injured.
The personal injury attorneys at the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm are committed to helping victims of defective products receive justice. Our personal injury lawyers won’t hesitate to take on major corporations and their insurance carriers in product liability litigation.
To learn more about how we can help defective product victims, contact our Manhattan law office today to discuss any questions you have about your potential defective product liability case.
NEXT STEP: Contact us now for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Call 212-268-3222 or complete our online case evaluation form below.
Millions Won in defective product claims
You deserve better.
How do I know if I have a product liability claim in New York?
Public policy dictates manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure the consumer products they are making are safe for consumers to use. Due to this, if a product is defective, strict liability rules apply.
This means victims who have used a product as intended do not need to prove negligence against a manufacturer to be compensated for injuries they received.
To take legal action against a manufacturer, a plaintiff must prove an injury was directly related to use of a product when using while intended or that the manufacturer failed to warn of any risks and an injury occurred. In a product liability lawsuit, victims can:
- Pursue compensation for economic losses, such as lost wages, medical bills, and any costs associated with the injury.
- Pursue compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress that occurred due to an accident or injuries.
- File a wrongful death claim if a family member was lost due to an accident caused by a defective product.
Some products injure hundreds or thousands of consumers. As a result, a class-action lawsuit may be initiated. Talking with a New York City experienced product liability attorney can help you determine which course of legal options are best for your situation.
We handle all types of dangerous and defective product lawsuits
Defective products can come in many shapes and forms. From simple household items used to make life easier, to larger purchases, such as a car or other sophisticated machinery.
If not made to high-quality and safety standards, people become injured. We believe consumers should be able to buy products confidently without worries they will get hurt.
Examples of claims involving defective products include:
- Bard® PowerPort™: We handle claims involving complications from the use of Bard® PowerPort™, a medical device used for administering medications and fluids. Issues may arise from device malfunction or design flaws.
- Breast Implant Cancer: We represent individuals who have developed rare types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer, specifically linked to certain types of Allergan breast implants. Our focus is on holding manufacturers accountable for the risks associated with their products.
- Chemical Hair Straightener/Relaxer: A recent study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found women who used chemical hair straightener or relaxer four or more times in the last year may have twice the risk of developing uterine cancer. We pursue claims for clients who have suffered injuries or health issues due to the use of chemical hair straighteners or relaxers, which may contain harmful substances.
- Children’s Products: Children's toys and other products can cause serious injury or death if care is not taken in the details. We advocate for families affected by unsafe children's products, focusing on violations of U.S. safety standards, including design flaws, choking hazards, and toxicity.
- Construction Equipment and Workplace Machinery: Construction equipment is powerful and workers should be assured they can use these products safely. We help workers injured by defective construction equipment and machinery, ensuring manufacturers and designers are held responsible for any flaws.
- Exactech®: We address claims related to Exactech® medical devices, focusing on cases where these products have caused complications or injuries due to defects or design issues.
- EzriCare® Artificial Tears: We assist clients who have experienced adverse effects from using EzriCare® Artificial Tears, addressing issues of contamination or product defects that may cause vision damage and blindness.
- Food Products: We represent individuals injured by contaminated or mishandled food products, holding responsible parties accountable across production, distribution, and preparation.
- Hernia Mesh: We handle cases involving complications from hernia mesh implants such as infections, punctured organs and bowel obstructions. We focus on product defects, improper labeling, and manufacturer negligence.
- Motor Vehicles: We advocate for clients injured due to defects in automobiles, from design errors to production flaws, including issues in parts like airbags.
- NEC Baby Formula: Evidence suggests a connection between the use of cow's milk-based formulas (like Enfamil™ and Similac®) and a higher risk of developing a potentially fatal intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We advocate for affected families, holding formula manufacturers accountable for failing to adequately warn about the risks associated with their products.
- Philips CPAP: We represent users who have suffered health problems due to defects or issues with Philips CPAP machines, including potential risks ranging from organ injuries and/or cancer from sound abatement foam.
- Prescription drugs and OTC medications: We handle cases where medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, have caused harm due to unsafe side effects or other issues, including those that were never recalled.
- Silicosis: We represent clients suffering from silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, often due to inadequate safety measures or product labeling.
- Talcum Powder: We pursue claims for individuals who have developed health issues, such as cancer, due to the use of talcum powder products containing harmful substances.
- Tepezza®: We assist clients who have experienced adverse effects from the use of Tepezza®, focusing on product-related complications and side effects including permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
Other examples of products that can contain defects include tobacco products, e-cigarettes, medical products, medical devices (such as recalled Philips CPAP devices), and products containing asbestos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a defective design claim?
Defective product design occurs when the product was manufactured and it functioned as it was intended to, but the design contained flaws or was designed without reasonable care, making it dangerous to consumers. When this occurs, it means an entire line of products is impacted, not just a selected number of products.
A well-known example of a design defect occurred in the 1970s with the Ford Pinto. The fuel tank had been designed in such a way it could catch on fire during a moderate-speed rear-end collision which could cause serious injury and death. It later emerged the company was aware of this flaw but sent the design to production anyway because it was more cost-effective than using a more expensive design the company had patented.
Other examples of a defective design claim include structurally unstable products, such as a chair with unequal leg lengths, products designed for children that contain choking hazards, or defects in electrical designs that could burn people or give off electrical shocks.
Can I sue for failure to warn of danger on a product?
Yes, you can sue for failure to warn of danger on a product. If a manufacturer is aware of potential hazards or risks consumers may encounter when using a product, they have a duty to warn consumers.
U.S. law has strict policies in place when it comes to product defects.
- Failure to warn in strict product liability lawsuits. In this type of personal injury case, the defendant is held liable for product defects but failed to adequately warn. For instance, failing to warn consumers of weight limitations when using a product.
- Failure to warn in negligence cases. Less common, this type of liability case involves the plaintiff proving the defendant owed consumers a duty of care and an injury occurs due to failure to warn breached that duty.
- Intended use or predictable misuse of products. If a consumer uses a product in a way the manufacturer could have predicted but failed to warn, this constitutes negligence. It is not considered negligent if a consumer uses a product in a way that was not predictable.
An appropriate warning can be done through visible labeling, highlighted in user manuals, and through other clear methods of explaining risks. If companies don’t adequately warn consumers, they can be held liable.
How long do I have to file a product liability claim in NYC?
Much like other personal injury claims, there is a statute of limitations in NYS. The state typically allows three years to file a product liability claim. It’s important to speak with an experienced product liability attorney as soon as possible to ensure your right to file a claim is not forfeited
Despite strict protocols in place, every year tens of millions of injuries and tens of thousands of deaths occur in the United States each year. Victims of manufacturing defects do have the right to initiate a product liability claim and pursue compensation for their injuries.
What should I do if I'm hurt from a defecive product?
In the event you, or a family member, have experienced problems associated with a defective product and suffer an injury, you want to act as quickly as possible. If possible, save the defective product, along with any instructions, warranty, and packaging.
Having as much information as possible helps build a stronger product liability case. Our legal team will ensure the product, vehicle, or machine can be examined and tested by experts which can significantly improve your chances of recovering compensation.
The attorneys at the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm get results, in part, because we go the extra length to invest in experts who can attest to a manufacturer or a third party’s failure in their duty to distribute a safe product to consumers.
Our tenacity and proven abilities during trial get the attention of both defendants and their insurance carriers. They know we will heavily invest ourselves in this process to help our clients receive justice for their injuries.
Protect your rights: Hire a top-rated product liability lawyer today
Injuries caused by product defects are often preventable. Companies should be held to standards to ensure the products they sell to the public are safe.
If you, or a loved one, have suffered a serious injury caused by a dangerous product or a product defect, we can help. The New York product liability lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine have over 30 years of experience iun product liability claims and we get results.
There are no attorney fees until you win a successful product liability claim.
NEXT STEP: Contact Raphaelson & Levine today for a free consultation with a NYC product liability lawyer at our firm. Call 212-268-3222 or complete the case evaluation form below.
