The National Safety Council reported that 15.1 million people went to emergency departments for injuries from consumer products in 2024. Many accidents happen at home with everyday items that families trust. Common products include utilities, medicine, and even children’s toys. In Birmingham, a product defects attorney helps injured consumers seek legal action.
What Makes a Product “Defective” Under the Law
Do you believe you own a dangerous household product? First, you need to understand what product liability law actually targets. Not every injury caused by a product is a legal case. What the law, especially in Alabama, looks for is a defect.
Product defects could fit into three different categories.
Design Defects
The product was dangerous before its manufacture. The blueprint itself was flawed. Even a perfectly built version of the product poses an unreasonable risk.
Manufacturing Defects
The product design is good, but something went wrong during production. A single batch of a product creates a dangerous version of an otherwise safe item.
Marketing Defects
The marketing failed to warn that the product carries undisclosed risks. Marketing defect examples include poor instructions, no safety warnings, or misleading labelling.
You could file a product liability case under negligence, strict liability, or warranty. Our Birmingham product liability attorneys carefully consider each case to determine responsibility. The manufacturer, distributor, and retailer may all be liable.
The Top 5 Dangerous Household Items Behind Product Liability Claims
These household items aren’t obscure industrial hazards. These products sit in homes across Birmingham and the rest of the country. These are the most common dangerous household items we’ve experienced in product liability claims.
1. Pressure Cookers
Pressure cookers have surged in popularity. But they’ve caused an increasing number of catastrophic failures. Consumers like you have reported explosions during normal use. Lids may open under pressure, or defective safety valves fail to release steam.
A pressure cooker accident can cause severe burns, scalding, and blast-force injuries. Several brands are facing recalls and lawsuits. If a pressure cooker has hurt you or a loved one, the manufacturer may be liable.
Learn more about pressure cooker explosion claims and how our lawyers build these cases.
2. Lithium-Ion Battery Products
E-bikes, hoverboards, electric scooters, and certain power tools and electronics use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are prone to overheating, catching fire, or exploding. The battery management system may be defective.
The CPSC has issued multiple warnings and recalls related to lithium-ion battery fires. These incidents can cause severe burns and house fires. Liability claims often cite defects in the battery itself, the charging system, or the product’s design.
3. Baby Formula Linked to NEC
Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) has been linked to certain cow’s milk-based baby formulas. NEC is a serious, and sometimes fatal, intestinal disease. Premature infants are most at risk.
Lawsuits allege that manufacturers knew about the risk, and they failed to adequately warn both parents and healthcare providers. Did your child develop NEC after consuming a cow’s milk-based formula, like Similac or Enfamil? You may have a claim.
Read our overview of NEC baby formula litigation to learn more.
4. Defective Medications and Drugs
Drug liability cases are some of the most complex in product liability law. Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be defective. We’ve handled cases built on a flawed formula, a contaminated batch, or a failure to list known side effects.
Do you believe that a medicine has hurt you or a loved one? You need a Birmingham defective drug lawyer. They can evaluate whether the manufacturer bears responsibility.
5. Children’s Toys and Products
Unfortunately, children’s toys and products may be dangerous to their audience. Toys with small parts pose choking hazards. Products may contain toxic materials like lead paint or harmful chemicals. Items may just have an overall bad and dangerous design.
The CPSC issues recalls on children’s products more frequently than almost any other category. Children can’t comprehend danger by themselves. For example, the CPSC and Thorley Industries recalled more than 2 million infant swings in 2022.
Common Questions About Hiring a Birmingham Product Defects Attorneys
What does a Birmingham product defects attorney do?
A Birmingham product defects attorney reviews the allegedly defective product. They try to identify every liable party in the supply chain. They also handle all communication with manufacturers, insurers, and opposing counsel. Most importantly, they push for the compensation you deserve.
How do I know if I have a product liability claim in Birmingham?
A product liability claim needs to meet at least two rules. First, the product should have hurt you during normal use. Then, a design flaw, manufacturing error, or failure to warn should’ve hurt you. Meet with a Birmingham product liability attorney to learn if your situation applies.
How long do I have to file a product liability claim in Alabama?
Alabama’s statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the injury. The clock may start at a different point in time if the injury wasn’t immediately discovered. The best thing you can do is to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
What if the product has already been recalled? Can I still file a claim?
Yes. A recall can actually support your claim. It establishes that the manufacturer knew, or should have known, about the defect. The recall itself is evidence.
What if I threw away the defective product?
The success of your claim depends on other evidence. Photos, medical records, purchase receipts, and manufacturer communications can still support a claim. Contact an attorney to determine if you have a strong claim.
What is the difference between a product defects attorney and a defective drug attorney?
Both types of attorneys practice product liability law. Defective drug cases involve pharmaceutical-specific regulations and FDA compliance. A defective product attorney focuses on injuries from a faulty product.
Who can be held liable in a product liability case?
Multiple parties could be liable. The product’s designer, manufacturer, component manufacturer, distributor, or retailer could be considered responsible for an injury.
Trust Our Product Liability Law Firm in Birmingham, AL
You trusted these products to be safe within your home. Yet, the companies failed to do better by consumers like you. Product liability law is deeper and more complex than an accident. If you’ve been hurt by a defective product or a dangerous drug, you need legal counsel.
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has fought corporate America for more than 20 years. We’ve recovered more than $2 billion for clients nationwide. This is a glimpse into those numbers.
- $1,500,000 settlement for a product liability case
- $1,400,000 settlement for a product liability case
Headquartered in Birmingham, we have offices across the country. Schedule a free consultation today.
