Top-Rated Product Liability Attorneys Fighting for Justice in New York City and Beyond
Most of us make multiple purchases every single day. Unfortunately, the products we purchase can cause severe injuries or accidental death if a product is defective or faulty. As consumers, we expect the goods we purchase to be non-hazardous and safe for use, but this is not always the reality of the situation. If you were hurt by a malfunctioning or unsafe product, of if someone you love passed away from their injuries after using defective consumer goods, you could be eligible to receive financial compensation from the party at fault.
The New York product liability attorneys of Sullivan & Galleshaw may be able to help. We have over 16 years of experience providing aggressive legal advocacy for New York injury victims and their families, and handle each and every case with a tailored, strategic approach. We are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and have been featured on major media outlets such as FOX News and MSNBC. To set up your completely free and confidential initial consultation, call our law offices at (718) 843-0300 today. Let’s start discussing your options for the future.
Types of Injury Claims Our Attorneys Handle
Unfortunately, just about any product you could imagine has the potential to be dangerously defective. Whether a product is highly complex or very simple, any consumer good can cause serious personal injury or wrongful death if improperly designed, manufactured, stored, or labeled.
With a devotion to client service and a passion for justice, our firm knows how to hold corporations and their insurers accountable. To help meet our client’s diverse legal needs, the attorneys of Sullivan & Galleshaw handle a wide variety of product liability claims, including but not limited to claims involving defective:
- Vehicles and Auto Parts
- Toys
- Safety Devices
- Prescription Medications such as Androgel
- Household Appliances
- Sporting Goods and Equipment
- Escalators and Elevators
- Amusement Park Rides
- Airplanes and Helicopters
- Industrial Machinery
- Workout Equipment
- Recreational Equipment
- Medical Devices
- Flammable Clothing
- Guardrails and Road Safety Features
No matter what sort of product is involved in your claim, it is very important that you consult with our attorneys right away. Otherwise, an important time limit called the statute of limitations may expire, which means you will lose valuable legal rights. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims involving product liability is capped at three years, beginning from the date of the accident. But even if your accident took place very recently, consulting with an attorney well in advance of the three-year deadline is always advisable. This will help allow time for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of your accident, such as consulting with industry experts and analyzing pieces of evidence.
What to Know About Product Liability Laws in New York
Dangerous and defective product claims are different from other types of personal injury claims. New York has complex product liability laws in place. There are actually four separate theories of liability in a defective product case in New York State:
- Strict liability;
- Tortious misrepresentation;
- Breach of implied warranty; and
- Common law negligence.
A significant share of defective product claims in New York is brought under the strict liability standard. In effect, manufacturers, distributors, and other corporations in New York can be held strictly liable for harm caused by a defective product. Strict liability means liability without a finding of negligence or intent to harm.
Establishing Liability and Negligence in Product Liability Cases
In order for a product liability claim to be successful, it must be established that the product directly caused a serious injury to the consumer. Additionally, the plaintiff (consumer) must prove that the product in question was defective. What constitutes a defective product depends on many factors—including the way in which the product was marketed to consumers and the instructions that come along with it. Some of the more common types of issues with consumer products include:
- Manufacturing Defects — There is nothing wrong with the design for the product, but the product was not actually built to the designer’s specifications due to an issue with the manufacturing process. A blueprint may be perfectly safe, but if the manufacturer recklessly deviates from the blueprint in order to cut costs, the finished product can suffer from dangerous deficiencies. Other manufacturing defects are the result of careless negligence, and go completely unnoticed until an innocent consumer is hurt or killed.
- Design Defects — The product was correctly assembled and isn’t necessarily broken or malfunctioning, but its very design is dangerous. A good example of defective design is the 15-passenger van, which federal studies have shown to be statistically prone to rollovers and passenger fatalities compared to other types of vehicles. No amount of craftsmanship can save a faulty design from inherent dangers.
- Storage Defects — Products are not necessarily shipped for sale immediately. More often, they sit in warehouses until they are ready to be sold. If products degrade due to improper storage, they can harm consumers once they are finally bought. To give a recent example, over 5 million vehicles fitted with Takata airbags have been recalled in the U.S. alone, because chemical propellant mishandled during storage has caused some of the airbags to become explosive.
- Labeling Defects — When dangers cannot be eliminated from a product, that product must be clearly and unambiguously labeled so that consumers are aware of the risks. If a product is misleadingly labeled in a way that downplays the hazards, or if a hazard simply isn’t labeled at all, the consumer has no way of protecting him- or herself.
How Our Queens Product Liability Lawyers Can Help
Product liability claims are notoriously complex. If you or your family member was harmed by a dangerous and defective product, it is normal to have a lot of questions about your rights. At the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, we are here to guide you through every step of the legal system. Among other things, our Queens product liability attorneys are prepared to:
- Conduct a free, in-depth review of your defective product claim;
- Investigate the case—exploring every potential path to compensation;
- Gather all relevant evidence to build a strong and compelling claim;
- Represent you in settlement negotiations with the defendant and its insurers; and
- Devise a comprehensive product liability strategy to get you the best outcome.
Product liability is a unique area of personal injury law. You need a New York City product liability attorney who has the skills, knowledge, and experience that you can count on. With a record of client testimonials and case results, victims and families rely on our Queens defective product lawyers for personalized legal guidance and support.
Product Liability Claims in New York: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Need to See a Doctor After Being Injured By a Product?
Yes. You should always seek medical attention for a significant injury. Nothing is more important than your health and well-being. Your injury may be more severe than you initially believe. The proper treatment and recovery plan is a must. Beyond that, you need to see a doctor to be eligible to recover compensation through a product liability claim in New York. Without medical records, your case will not get very far.
What is the Statute of Limitations in a Product Liability Claim in New York?
You have a limited amount of time to file a product liability in New York State. There is a three-year statute of limitations for defective product lawsuits in New York. With very few exceptions, any legal action for a dangerous and defective product must be taken within three years of the date of the injury. If you wait too long to take action, you may not be eligible to bring a claim at all. Do not fall behind the corporation or its insurance provider: Consult with a New York City product liability attorney right away.
Are Product Liability Claims Class Action Lawsuits?
A product liability claim may or may not be a class action lawsuit. A class action claim is appropriate when a substantial number of people have fundamentally similar claims. For example, if an entire line of products is defective and many people were injured in similar ways, it is possible that a class action lawsuit will be certified for the product liability claim. However, not all product liability claims are class action lawsuits. You can pursue a defective product claim on your own.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Product Liability Attorney in New York City
At the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, our New York City product liability lawyers are standing by, ready to fight for justice. If you were injured after purchasing a defective item, you may be eligible for compensation. To set up a private case evaluation completely free of charge, call the New York product liability lawyers of Sullivan & Galleshaw right away at (718) 843-0300 or contact us online. With law offices in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, we handle dangerous and defective product injury claims in New York City and throughout the surrounding region.