Product Liability Claims for Compensation 

Purchasing a defective product can not only be disappointing, but it can also be dangerous and possesses the potential to cause an injury to an induvial. As a consumer in the UK, we rightly expect the products we buy to be of a certain standard and trust that they have been tried and tested and ultimately marked as safe. When a product is defective and causes harm or injury, you are within your rights to make a claim for compensation.

Product liability claims can be brought against manufacturers, retailers or distributors. Injury due to a faulty product can cause you both physical and emotional pain, and you are entitled to expect a level of compensation to cover your loss of earnings, medical bills and any emotional distress.

At Beacon Law, our product liability solicitors can offer expert advice on your claim and the potential amount of compensation you can expect to receive from injuries arising from defective products. Simply get in touch with us today to find out more.

Causes of product liability claims and types of injuries

Our personal injury team have seen an array of cases in which a defective product has caused harm, from minor injuries to more serious and life-threatening injuries. Defects can arise from the design process of a product to the manufacturing of a product using the initial raw materials. Any product that has a defect, no matter how minor, has the potential to cause harm, and some of the more common instances of this occurring are as follows:

• Burn and shock injuries caused by defective electrical equipment and household consumer products, including hair straighteners, toasters, kettles and coffee machines.
• Soft tissue injuries, sprains, and fractures caused by defective chairs and seating.
• Contaminated food that could lead to food poisoning.
• Workplace injuries caused by defective work equipment.
• Unsafe mechanical products such as gym equipment.
• Injuries to patients caused by defective medical devices and equipment.
• Road Traffic Accident injuries caused by defective vehicles.
• Burns and skin conditions caused by skincare products, beauty products and hair dyes.

The above list is just a small set of common examples of product liability claim situations; please get in touch with our expert solicitors to find out if you could expect to make a claim of compensation from your case, even if it is not listed above.

The Consumer Protection Act 1987

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 places strict liability on product manufacturers and retailers if a defect from a product causes harm or injury to an individual. In the UK, we trust in the guidelines and product safety laws and expect to be safe using a product in the way it is intended to be used.

A product will be deemed to be defective if it does not do what it is designed or marketed to do, is poorly designed in a way in which it causes you injury, or if there is a failure to warn consumers of the proper use.

All products must be regulated by the Consumer Protection Act 1987, and as such, it ensures that any person harmed by a defective product is covered by law and has a right to make a claim for any of the costs they incur as a result of the defect and injury caused.

Once a defect has been established in a product, then the manufacturer and retailer also have a duty of care to recall the product to ensure it poses no future risk to anyone else using it. If this doesn’t occur, then any individual that is injured as a result of the product also possesses the right to make a claim for compensation.

Full liability for a defective product will fall upon the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer, and the duties placed on these parties mean that they should:

• Provide a warning for any potential risks when using the product
• Provide sufficient information to help consumers avoid any risks when using the product
• Monitor the safety of all products
• Take appropriate action if any safety risks or hazards have been discovered

Making a claim

At Beacon Law, we are able to offer our product liability services on a no win no fee basis, meaning you have nothing to lose in trying to make a claim for compensation if you have been injured or harmed by a defective product.

It is worth noting that you do not have to be the owner or purchaser of the product for you to make a claim.

The first thing you should do if you have been injured by a defective product is seek the appropriate medical attention you need. It is also helpful to take pictures of the product, and the injuries and keeping a hold of the product itself is also important as, in many cases, the product is sent away for testing and investigation. Any receipts, whether from yourself or the person who bought the product, are also helpful.

Personal injury claims must be made within three years of the accident, so it is best to start the process as soon as possible.

What will compensation cover

The amount of compensation you will receive will depend on a number of factors, from the severity of the injuries, the pain and suffering caused and your loss of earnings as a result from the injury. The more severe of an injury and the lasting damage it creates generally attracts a larger claim for compensation than minor injuries.

It may also be necessary to obtain an independent medical assessment of your injuries before we can make an estimation on the value of your injuries.

Special damages can also be awarded to cover the costs of medical care, time off from work and any damage to property as a result of a defective product.

How we can help

Beacon Law is a team of specialist personal injury solicitors with experience in dealing with a wide range of product liability claims. Our expertise in this area of law means we can provide an exceptional standard of service to our clients and work tirelessly to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome and the highest level of compensation for your injuries.

Beacon Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out more about our no win, no fee claims funding and legal fees, please have a look at the funding section on our website.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a defective or faulty product, then please contact us today on 0330 1332 857 to start your claim or complete our contact form at the top of the page to request a call back from a member of our personal injury team.