mike bottaro product liability accident attorney

Rhode Island Defective Product Lawyers

Defective products are, unfortunately, more common than most consumers think. Anything from household appliances to personal automobiles might be hiding a dangerous secret. When you buy a product, you expect it to be safe to use and free from defects. 

If a defective product harmed you, Mike and his team of Rhode Island product liability lawyers at Bottaro Law want to help you hold the responsible business accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation and case review. 

Why You Should Hire Our Rhode Island Product Liability Attorneys

When you’re injured by a defective product, you might not know where to turn. The skilled dangerous product lawyers at Bottaro Law stand ready to handle communications with the company and get your concerns taken seriously.

When manufacturers receive legal notices from experienced lawyers with a history of winning big payouts in defective product lawsuits, they come to the table as soon as possible. Our attorneys are ready to leverage our experience and resources to light a fire under large companies, force them to negotiate, and hold them accountable in court when negotiations fail.

With our exclusive “No Fee Guarantee,” it costs you nothing upfront to get started working with Mike and his team at Bottaro Law. We get paid only when we successfully recover money for you.

What Are Common Types of Product Defects?

Product defects can be divided into three different types:

  • Design defects – These defects are those that are inherent in the design of the product. These flaws make the product dangerous from the moment it’s manufactured. These flaws affect the entire product line, not just specific examples.
  • Manufacturing defects – These flaws are errors that occur while making a product. When something occurs in the manufacturing process that deviates from the intended design, the product could be defective. These errors could affect a single product or an entire line.
  • Marketing defects – If a company fails to include information on its labeling or packaging that identifies potential hazards or provides instruction for the safe use of the product, that is a marketing defect. This flaw affects the entire product line.

Here are a few examples of products that are frequently the subject of defective product lawsuits:

  • Cars, trucks, and other vehicles
  • Tires and other automotive parts
  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Medical devices
  • Children’s products
  • Appliances
  • Chemicals
  • Heavy equipment
  • Power tools
  • Building materials
  • Safety equipment

Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by Defective Products?

Various parties could be liable for defective product injuries. Those parties include:

  • Manufacturers
  • Distributors
  • Retailers

Your attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and determine which parties can be held accountable for your injuries and losses. 

Types of Legal Claims in Product Liability Cases

There are three types of legal claims in products liability law:

  • Negligence – Claims that the product’s manufacturer or seller was negligent in designing, producing, or selling the product, and thus caused it to be defective or dangerous.
  • Breach of warranty – The product’s manufacturer or seller fails to uphold the promises made by the product’s warranty.
  • Strict liability – Strict liability isn’t applicable to every claim—but when appropriate, a plaintiff can recover compensation for an injury without having to prove negligence or breach of warranty. The plaintiff must still prove the product to be dangerous or defective, as well as demonstrate the extent and value of their damages.

Injuries Caused by Defective Products

Some of the potential injuries that result from the use of defective products include:

  • Electrocution – Defective electronics could cause significant electrical shocks to consumers, whether because of insulation that didn’t provide ample protection from live wires and flowing electricity, drawing more power from outlets than intended, or some other reason.
  • Organ damage – Common with new and emerging dangerous drugs, the side effects can be much more severe than reported, leading to consumers of the drug suffering from organ failure or internal bleeding.
  • Burn injuries – Most electronics warm when used, but improperly insulated devices can heat surrounding areas and cause fires. Some household tools and appliances are meant to produce heat, and if they ignite, they can severely burn product users and anyone nearby.
  • Traumatic brain injury – Traumatic brain injuries are any injuries that affect the functions and health of the brain. They most commonly occur from large forces applied to the head or neck. These types of injuries can result if a part or system on a vehicle fails and causes an accident.
  • Choking – Manufacturers and designers must keep children in mind when their products include small pieces that could pose choking hazards if they break off and are swallowed.
  • Bone fractures – Any product that inflicts significant physical force to a limb or body part due to a defect can shatter bones and limit consumers’ mobility. This kind of injury could result from a defective vehicle part or system or from defective machinery or equipment.
  • Drownings – When products designed to help those who can’t swim or to keep people safe in the water fail, the consequences can be disastrous.
  • Nerve damage – Anything from blunt force trauma to defective medications and toxic chemicals can break the connections between the nerves and the brain, forever altering someone’s mobility.
  • Cancer – Dangerous lawn products can result in cancer, as can some building materials and dangerous drugs.

Even if you don’t see your injury listed here, you could have a valid claim if a product defect caused measurable harm to you during normal use. Mike and his team at Bottaro Law know how to help you get the money you deserve.

How Our Defective Product Lawyers Can Help You

Our attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track by:

  • Investigating your case
  • Gathering evidence
  • Identifying the potentially liable parties
  • Negotiating with the company for an appropriate settlement
  • Taking your case to trial if a settlement can’t be reached 

When a defective product injures you, immediately reach out to a Rhode Island defective product liability lawyer from Bottaro Law and discover what options you have.