Consumers use millions of products on a daily basis as new products continuously enter the market. Although many products make our lives easier or improve our health, some products cause more harm than good. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, the Chicago product liability attorneys from Thomas Law Offices can help.
Our work is helping those who have been injured by dangerous and defective products.
Products liability law is a broad area of law concerning injuries that are caused by consumer products. If you purchased an item and sustained injuries that should have been prevented, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your losses. The Chicago product liability lawyers from Thomas Law Offices help injured people in Chicago, IL, Cook County, and the surrounding areas in Illinois.
We use the law to hold companies liable when they put profits ahead of safety.
Product liability claims are brought forward when defective products (or components of a product) cause consumers to suffer serious injuries. Some defective products may even cause a victim to suffer life-threatening injuries. Under Illinois law, victims of these types of injuries have legal options.
While a claim can be filed for any product, some of the most common defective products that cause serious injuries include:
During the design, manufacturing, shipping, and distribution processes, the parties involved are responsible for ensuring that products are not defective or damaged. A product defect is when a mistake, flaw, or willful negligence leads to an unreasonably dangerous consumer product.
When manufacturers and other parties allow a defective product on the market, it becomes a serious legal issue. Injured consumers in Chicago, IL have the right to seek compensation for losses and injuries sustained.
While most practice areas of personal injury law (such as a car accident case or slip and fall case) rest on theories of negligence, there are a few different legal theories that may apply in a product liability case. In general, a product liability case is based on one of the following concepts:
Most product liability claims are pursued under the theory of strict liability. With these claims, the plaintiff only has to prove that the product was defective and that an injury was sustained as a result. It’s important to note that products purchased second-hand are not eligible for strict liability claims.
To prove negligence, your law firm will need to demonstrate that carelessness or wrongdoing resulted in your injuries. Negligence can happen because a manufacturer breached a duty of care and released the product too early, failed to foresee possible uses for the product, or neglected to inspect or test the product sufficiently.
When you purchase a product, there are typically two warranties. Express warranty is that which is clearly stated. Implied warranty is the implied promise made by manufacturers that the product—if used as intended—will not cause harm.
Regardless of which theory your claim is based on, it’s important to work with an experienced law firm. Thomas Law Offices has a successful history of representing victims of personal injury in Lake County, DuPage County, McHenry County, and other areas of Illinois. Our Chicago product liability attorneys are ready to help you file your products liability claim.
If a medical mistake harmed you or your newborn, we’ll investigate what went wrong and fight for funds for lifelong care. Start with a free case evaluation today.
A head injury can change everything. We pursue negligent drivers, companies, and providers to seek compensation for treatment, lost income, and long-term needs. Get a free case evaluation now.
Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (1953–1987)? This page explains what happened and potential harms—note the firm is no longer taking these cases. Explore the details and see other options.
From fender-benders to serious crashes, we help you pursue the money you need for medical bills, repairs, and time off work. Don’t face insurers alone—request a free case evaluation.
Hurt on a jobsite? We’ll identify who’s responsible beyond workers’ comp and pursue the recovery you deserve for pain, lost wages, and medical costs. Talk to us for a free case evaluation.
When care goes wrong, you deserve answers and accountability. We review records, build strong claims, and pursue compensation for the harm you suffered. Schedule a free case evaluation.
Motorcyclists are vulnerable—and insurers know it. We fight for riders injured by careless drivers and push for full compensation for medical care and recovery. Request a free case evaluation.
If your premature baby developed NEC after cow’s milk-based formula, your family may have legal options. We’re representing families seeking justice and compensation—act now for a free case evaluation.
Attacked because a property lacked basic security? We investigate owners’ failures—lighting, locks, cameras, staffing—and pursue compensation for your injuries. Start with a free case evaluation.
If a loved one was neglected or harmed in a facility, we’ll help you hold the home accountable and pursue compensation. Take action today—get a free case evaluation.
Injured because someone else was careless? We’ll handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and getting life back on track. Start with a free case evaluation.
Used a recalled Philips CPAP/BiPAP or ventilator? We help people harmed by defective devices pursue claims tied to the recall and alleged foam exposure. Get a free case evaluation.
Hurt on someone else’s property? We pinpoint unsafe conditions, prove negligence, and pursue damages for medical bills and lost time. Don’t wait—get a free case evaluation.
Defective products shouldn’t cost you your health. We pursue manufacturers and sellers when unsafe designs or warnings lead to injury. Find out if you have a claim—free case evaluation.
Survivors deserve support and accountability. We help you understand your rights and pursue civil action against abusers and enablers. When you’re ready, request a free case evaluation.
A fall can mean ER visits, missed work, and lasting pain. If poor maintenance or hazards caused your injury, we’ll help you pursue compensation. Get a free case evaluation today.
Benefits can be hard to win alone. If a condition keeps you from working, we’ll guide you through the SSA process and strengthen your claim. Start with a free case evaluation.
Spinal trauma can bring lifelong care needs and huge costs. We fight for compensation that reflects the full impact on your mobility, work, and future. Request a free case evaluation.
Crashes with semis are complex and high-stakes. We investigate drivers and trucking companies and pursue the recovery you need after serious injuries. Get a free case evaluation now.
Injured at work in Kentucky? We help Louisville workers fight delays, denials, and lowball benefits so you can get medical care and wage support. Request a free consultation.
When negligence takes a life, accountability matters. We help families pursue a wrongful death claim and seek financial stability during an impossible time. Start with a free case evaluation.
You have enough on your plate. Get a free case evaluation and clear answers from our experienced attorneys today — we’ll take it from here.
Product liability claims are built on the type of defect that caused the injury. To determine which defect caused your injury, your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation, looking into when and where you purchased or received the item, how you were using it at the time of injury, and what steps the manufacturer took to ensure the product’s safety. Most claims are built on manufacturing defects, design defects, or marketing defects.
Manufacturing defects occur in the production process. This defect typically only affects one or a few items out of an entire line of products. Issues can arise if there is an error on the assembly line, causing certain products to be different from others.
A car accident may involve an auto part manufacturing defect. For example, if the other driver rear-ended you because their brakes failed, the manufacturer may be liable—if it is determined that the brake failure was a result of a manufacturing defect.
Sometimes, an entire line of products is defective because of poor design. Whether miscalculations were made or a flawed design was left unchanged after discovery, the manufacturer can be held accountable for failing to take foreseeable risks into account.
For example, a medical device may be designed in such a way that components could break off inside a patient’s body. If a design defect was to blame, a consumer injured by the product may be entitled to a large settlement to cover their resulting medical expenses and other costs.
A marketing defect may involve a manufacturer failing to provide adequate instructions for how to use a product, or failing to warn consumers about a product’s risks.
A marketing defect claim may be appropriate if a consumer is injured by a household product that was not labeled as unsafe in certain situations. It’s important to note that manufacturers cannot be held liable for failing to warn of obvious risks—such as falling off a ladder that was constructed properly.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) maintains regulations for safety symbols and product safety signs and labels. If a dangerous product does not have the proper warning label, the manufacturer could be held accountable. To meet ANSI standards, a warning label should inform the consumer of existing hazards, the severity of the risk involved with the product, the effects of the hazard, and how to avoid the hazard.
Some warning labels are known to be misleading, yet are left unchanged by the responsible party. If you plan to file a claim because you believe a warning label was inadequate, our attorneys will focus on building your claim around how the product caused you harm, the severity of your injuries, the level of duty the manufacturer owed to you, how much the label relied on your experience and knowledge, and whether the warning was clear enough to understand.
To pursue a successful claim, you need compelling evidence against the responsible party. Defective product claims are often filed against the manufacturer, retailer, or wholesaler. This also requires dealing with the entity’s insurance company, which can be a challenging hurdle if not handled by an experienced attorney.
We Provide Strong Representation Against Makers and Sellers of Defective Products
Your attorney from Thomas Law Offices will be able to analyze the details of your case and determine the best course of legal action. Usually, we will work with you to file a claim against one of three entities. This may include:
The manufacturer could be a large company or an individual working out of their garage. You may be dealing with a company based locally in Chicago, or one outside of Illinois altogether. Depending on the product, it’s possible the plaintiff could file a case against either the manufacturer of the entire product or the manufacturer of a single defective part.
Holding a retailer accountable for their negligence can happen if a retailer advertises an item for sale—implying the product is safe and suitable for use. If you decide to pursue a claim against a retailer, you don’t have to be the person who bought the product. In some situations, you might be able to recover compensation for used products purchased in Chicago, IL.
The wholesaler is considered the middleman between the manufacturer and retailer. If, for example, a product was damaged during shipping and that caused the dangerous defect, the trucking company could potentially be held liable.
The compensation you’re eligible for is determined by a number of factors. To start, your lawyer will determine what your economic losses are. Economic losses include calculable expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may also be able to seek compensation for future medical expenses and lost income.
In addition to the calculable losses, your lawyer will also determine what you’re owed in noneconomic damages. This covers pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and more. While this figure is harder to determine, your Thomas Law Offices lawyer will draw on vast experience across product liability law and other practice areas to determine what equates to a fair settlement amount.
While many claims resolve through negotiations with a settlement, there is a chance your case could proceed to trial. In the event you need to file a lawsuit in order to receive full and fair compensation, your lawyer will be by your side to provide expert legal representation. We have a track record of successful litigation in courts in Chicago, IL and across the state.
If you suffered serious injury in Chicago or Illinois after using a defective product, we have the experience you need. Call us now to schedule a free consultation.
If you’ve been injured by a dangerous product and are looking to recover compensation for your losses, the Chicago products liability attorneys from Thomas Law Offices can help. Our law firm is prepared to represent you or a family member who was caused injury in the Chicago area.
We know how intimidating it can seem to file a product liability lawsuit against a manufacturer. A large corporation and its insurance company can be a powerful adversary. But when you sustained life-threatening injuries because of another party’s wrongdoing, a personal injury lawsuit is often the best way to achieve justice.
From Chicago to Arlington Heights, our law office has been trusted for years by the people of Cook County. When we take your case, you know that the Thomas Law Offices attorney team will be by your side throughout the entire process. We’ll see that your rights are upheld and make sure you’re offered full and fair compensation for the costs related to your injuries.
The sooner you file a product liability claim, the better your chances are of maximizing your monetary award. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Medication errors during hospital stays happen more than most patients realize, and they’re usually tied to larger problems inside the hospital system itself. That’s what makes these types of medical malpractice cases so frustrating. We might naturally picture a single distracted nurse or doctor making a bad call, but in reality, medication mistakes often happen...
Parents of a newborn are understandably anxious. Bringing that baby home from the hospital for the first time will mean making significant adjustments in schedules and routines. In other words, the baby will now be that couple’s entire focus, as it should. It is recommended that parents bring their baby to a pediatrician within 3...
The long-term costs of a surgical error usually go way beyond the first round of hospital bills. For a lot of families, the real issue becomes financial survival. One surgical mistake can set off years of follow-up care, corrective procedures, lost income, home adjustments, pain treatment, and day-to-day support needs. That’s the part that catches...
Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.
