Most Americans place great faith in manufacturers from around the world not to sell us defective products; after all, it is easy (and much more comforting) to assume that if a food or product is being sold in a store, surely it has been inspected up and down and duly tested for all potential dangers to our health. Consider this though: there are millions upon millions of products being sold in the US today. Some are brand new and may not have all the ‘kinks’ worked out, while others are very common and have been on the market seemingly forever like familiar electronics, toys, household products—and larger items like vehicles and home appliances. Unfortunately, defects are more common than we would like to imagine and can on occasion be very harmful to the consumer.

Defective products may arrive in the form of everything from toys presenting choking hazards for children to small appliances with faulty wiring that may cause electric shock. Most of us have also heard horror stories about smartphones or hoverboards catching on fire unexpectedly while in use. Even if a product has been ‘thoroughly’ tested, there is still the chance it could contain defects capable not only of hurting or traumatizing a consumer and loved ones, but also seriously burning them.

Larger products like automobiles are manufactured with so many different moving parts that there is much more opportunity for defects that cause mechanical failure and even fire—especially considering the proximity to flammable chemicals like oil and gasoline. Defects in cars are especially serious too as we rely on them for total safety, and may be traveling with the whole family when something major goes wrong. A car defect can be problematic, but a car fire can be catastrophic.

Defects in small electronics and appliances present the potential for fire and injury too, whether you are trying out that snazzy new toaster oven that lets you cook everything from pineapple-baked chicken to chocolate-chip cookies, or perhaps you are trying out a new hair straightener, blow dryer, or set of power tools. Large appliances may be problematic also, whether affected by an electrical construction defect in your home or arriving from the factory with an issue. Items like a stove or oven that indicate a possible defect should be checked out immediately due to the potential for a fire in the home.

While some burns from defective products allow for an easy recovery, others are extremely serious, even affecting the body internally and/or causing complications that can be fatal. Such wounds can be extremely painful, and usually cause large medical bills too. On top of that, if you have been burned due to a product defect, you may be unable to go back to work for a long time, or even permanently. Your health, income, and quality of life could be seriously affected due to the negligence of others. The reasons for dangerous defects vary, and negligence could lie with the original designer of the product, the manufacturer, or the company responsible for marketing.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to a product defect, contact ­­­­Heintz Law now. Our experienced product liability lawyers will fight to recover compensation on your behalf. We handle all types of Florida personal injury cases, and our law firm has established an impressive record of verdicts and settlements. If you have been seriously injured, call us now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!