Columbus Product Liability Lawyers
Product Liability Lawyers in Columbus, GA, Who Will Never Back Down
When businesses put profits ahead of people, the results can be catastrophic. In their rush to get a product to market, companies will often cut corners. Unfortunately, there's a long trail of destruction and lost lives caused by businesses that failed to adequately test new products before releasing them into the marketplace.
If you or a loved one was injured by a faulty product, you have the right to seek compensation for the physical and emotional harm you have suffered in Columbus. Call our Columbus defective product attorneys at (706) 322-1990 to learn more about how we can help with your product liability case today.
Are You in Need of a Product Liability Lawyer?
There are several types of products that will harm consumers when they don't work as intended, including automobiles, toys, power tools, and medications. The product liability attorneys at Prather LLP will calculate the full extent of your damages and file a claim or lawsuit against anyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
Why Choose Us Over Other Product Liability Law Firms?
Product liability cases can be complicated, with the defendants often being large corporations. But don't worry—Butler Prather LLP has won substantial product liability cases against major automobile manufacturing companies and other powerful interests. Our firm has the resources to take on any company in America, and we're not intimidated by anybody.
Butler Prather LLP | Product Liability Law Firm in Columbus
- We offer free initial case consultations
- We've won over $1 billion for our clients
- We've won cases in more than 30 states
- We've won 10 verdicts over $100 million
- We've won more than 60 verdicts and settlements over $10 million
- We've won more than 175 verdicts and settlements over $1 million
- Our law firm has been recognized by Super Lawyers based on peer reviews and independent research
What Is Product Liability?
When you buy a product, it’s supposed to work the way manufacturers and advertisers say it will. It can be frustrating when something you have purchased doesn’t live up to the expectations set by the people who made it. But when a product harms consumers, the people responsible must be held accountable.
Businesses have an obligation to make sure a product is safe before they unleash it on consumers. In Georgia, there is strict liability in product liability cases, and there are no caps on punitive damages. If a product injures people when used as intended, consumers have the right to seek damages.
Factors that contribute to product liability include:
- Missing or inadequate warning labels
- Misleading instructions
- Design errors
- False advertising
- Insufficient instructions
- Deceptive claims
Who Is Liable for Defective Products?
Companies that make, sell, distribute, and advertise defective products can all be held liable for the injuries they cause. As a consumer, you have the right to seek damages against the following parties in a product liability lawsuit:
- Manufacturers
- Designers
- Distributors
- Marketers
- Packagers
- Dealers
- Wholesalers
- Manufacturers of component parts
Defective Products That Injure Consumers in Columbus, GA
Some of the largest and most noteworthy product liability cases handled by Butler Prather LLP involve dangerous automobiles. For example, our firm won a landmark $150 million judgment against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) because the company failed to properly warn consumers about the potential dangers of driving the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Automobile defects that lead to product liability include faulty brakes, seat belts, fuel systems, airbags, tires, and other components. Additional types of unsafe products that may be subject to harmful defects include:
- Toys
- Tools
- Smoke detectors
- Highchairs
- Playground equipment
- Ladders
- Lawnmowers
- Household appliance
- Recreational and sporting goods
- Fire extinguishers
- Pharmaceutical products
- Medical devices
- Cribs and playpens
- Office chairs
- Heating systems
- Elevators and escalators
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Power tools, including saws, drills, presses, chainsaws, circular saws, grinders, and meat processing equipment
How Our Product Liability Attorneys Can Help
A lawyer's insight is invaluable in navigating a product liability case. It's important that you understand the benefits of a free consultation, the investigative process, and how attorneys identify liable parties.
A free consultation is the first step in understanding your legal options, as it allows you to discuss your case with a legal professional without any financial commitment, thus providing a safe space to explore your situation.
During your free consultation, Butler Prather LLP will assess your case and tell you if you have a valid premises liability claim. Then, we'll investigate the accident and formally notify all liable parties. It's also an opportunity to ask questions and gauge the law firm's abilities. This helps you decide if the attorney will be the right fit for your case.
The next step is negotiating a settlement. If the other side is unwilling to make a reasonable offer, Butler Prather LLP is always prepared to take them to trial and argue your case in front of a judge and jury. This is where we really excel, and many defendants prefer to settle instead of facing our talented litigators in court.
Finding the Right Columbus, GA Product Liability Lawyer
The basic premise behind a product liability lawsuit is simple — a business made false claims or failed to adequately warn consumers about a dangerous product, and people got injured or killed. But it takes skilled trial lawyers and investigators to build a case strong enough to be victorious in a court of law. At Butler Prather LLP, we have a proven track of prevailing in product liability cases against fierce opposition.
Winning a Columbus product liability lawsuit requires skill, dedication, and painstaking commitment to detail. You also have to be able to break down complex technical and legal issues in a way that a jury will understand.
Butler Prather LLP is fully prepared to handle your case and see it through to the end. Our Columbus, GA defective product attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and resources to apply the essential components of a product liability lawsuit, including:
- Product retrieval
- Witness statements
- Site investigation
- Diagrams and computer simulations
- Maintenance records
- Expert testimony
- Formal reports
- Government data and reports
- Product recalls
- Internal company documents and communications
Injuries Caused by Defective Products
Everyone has a duty of care to take reasonable precautions and avoid actions that could foreseeably harm others. That’s why businesses have an obligation to test their products for defects and honestly inform consumers about the hazards involved. For example, a stuffed animal may seem harmless, but parts that easily come off could cause a choking risk for small children.
It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to anticipate how their products might harm someone and take the necessary precautions. Physical and emotional harm caused to consumers by defective products includes:
- Paralysis
- Severe burns
- Contusions
- Vision loss and blindness
- Loss of limb
- Back and neck injuries
- Cancer
- Concussion
- Crush injuries
- Lacerations
- Asphyxiation
- Infectious diseases
- Bones fractures
- Hearing loss
- Internal bleeding
- Botulism
- Joint damage
- Drowning
- PTSD
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
Damages Available in a Product Liability Lawsuit
If someone you loved was harmed by a defective product in Columbus, they may require a lifetime of medical treatment and personal care. You may have to take time away from work to provide assistance for a loved one who can no longer care for themself. Injuries caused by product liability generate astronomical medical bills and other expenses.
The Columbus personal injury attorneys at Butler Prather LLP seek the following types of damages in a defective product injury lawsuit:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Loss of income
- In-home nursing care
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced future income
- Medical devices
- Disfigurement
- Reconstructive surgery
- Reduced quality of life
- Medications
- Loss of consortium
- Occupational therapy
- Wheelchair ramps for your home
- Wheelchair lifts for your vehicle
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Product Liability Cases in Georgia?
The statute of limitations is the legal timeframe for filing a product liability case. In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of injury to initiate legal proceedings. Failure to file your case in time could cause you to lose the right to receive the compensation you deserve.
As soon as you contact Butler Prather LLP, we can start working on your case. We'll take active measures to preserve evidence—as product liability cases may require a great deal of research and intense negotiations (another reason you don't want to wait to contact our product liability attorney).
Were You Injured by a Defective Product?
There is nothing more important than the people you care about. At Butler Prather LLP, we have dedicated our law practice to helping people harmed by the negligent actions of others, and we never stop fighting for our clients.
For over three and a half decades, our Georgia personal injury lawyers have been winning lawsuits and holding wrongdoers accountable for the injuries they cause. Our Georgia law firm will treat you and your loved ones with the respect and compassion you deserve.
Contact us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Results from Our Product Liability Cases
Pharmaceutical Product Liability / Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome
Rainwater v. Showa Denko, Inc., et al., United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. Pharmaceutical product liability case against a major Japanese pharmaceutical company. The client became seriously ill after taking contaminated tablets of L-Tryptophan, a substance classified by the FDA as food but marketed and sold in the U.S. for its medicinal qualities. The plaintiff suffered EMS (Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome), an inflammatory condition that affects the connective and muscle tissue, causing extreme pain, physical debilitation, nerve degeneration, and, in some cases, death. The plaintiff has severe EMS, which will affect her for the remainder of her life. The settlement amount is confidential at the defendant's request.
Product Liability / Bridgestone/Firestone
Leonard and Randall Heavrin v. Bridgestone/Firestone, et al., State Court of Walker County, Georgia. Leonard and Nancy Heavrin were tragically killed on November 10, 2005, when the defective Firestone Steeltex Radial R4S II tire on another vehicle exploded, leading to a catastrophic accident on Interstate 24 near Manchester, Tennessee. The tire's belt/tread separation caused the vehicle to lose control, crossing the median and striking the Heavrins' vehicle head-on. The tires were manufactured at Firestone's Decatur, Illinois plant, which was closed due to quality issues following recalls. The plaintiffs argued that both manufacturing and design defects, specifically the omission of a nylon cap, contributed to the accident. The case was settled for a confidential amount.
What Clients Are Saying About Us
"Got a Verdict of $150 Million" - Lindsay (5-Star AVVO Review)
We filed a wrongful death case from a car wreck where my son passed away. We went all the way to trial and got a verdict of $150 million. We couldn't have made this happen without this wonderful man and his associates.
"We [Are] So Grateful for all That He Has Done" - Gary Nelson (5-Star Facebook Review)
Thank you so very much for all your hard work and dedication in helping us resolve this not-so-pleasant situation. […] We are so relieved that this matter is finally over.
Product Liability FAQs
Do I Have to Accept the First Offer I Get from the Insurance Company?
No! In fact, it's probably a lowball offer that doesn't come close to matching the damages you've suffered. Butler Prather LLP will tell you how much your claim is really worth.
What Types of Product Defects Cause Personal Injuries in Georgia?
You can seek damages for any type of product with inadequate warning labels or a product that caused your injuries when used as directed. This could include tools, toys, household appliances, children's products, safety equipment, chairs, and various other types of products.
What Type of Damages Can I Receive in a Product Liability Case?
Available damages in a Columbus product liability case could include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, medical devices, home alterations, assisted living care, occupational therapy, and more.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Product Liability Attorney in Columbus, Georgia?
There are no upfront costs when you sign on with Butler Prather LLP, and we won't charge you anything to handle your product liability case unless we win you a settlement.
Do I Really Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Product liability cases involve complex technical and legal issues and are often against large companies. Butler Prather LLP levels the playing field because we have the knowledge and resources to successfully litigate these types of cases.
Columbus Office:
105 13th Street
Columbus, GA 31901
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2766
Columbus, GA 31902