When a company announces a product recall, it’s easy to view it as a responsible act. It may seem like the manufacturer identified a problem and took steps to address it. However, for consumers who have already suffered injuries or losses, a recall announcement can feel like too little, too late. The hard truth is that recalls are often reactive measures taken after harm has already occurred, and they frequently fall short of providing adequate protection or compensation for those affected by dangerous products.
At Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson LLP, Austin’s oldest personal injury law firm, we’ve seen firsthand how product recalls can be insufficient remedies for consumers who have suffered serious injuries from defective products. Our experience since 1959 has taught us that true accountability often requires legal action beyond the recall process to ensure manufacturers face appropriate consequences for their negligence.
Why Legal Accountability is More Important Than Recalls When it Comes to Defective Products
When recalls fall short, taking legal action provides victims with a crucial pathway to accountability through product liability lawsuits. These legal actions serve several important functions that recalls alone cannot accomplish.
These functions are as follows:
Compensation for Real Damages
Unlike recalls, which typically only address the product’s value, successful product liability claims can provide compensation for the full scope of damages suffered, including:
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Medical expenses (past and future)
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Lost income and diminished earning capacity
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Pain and suffering
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Property damage
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In severe cases, punitive damages
If you were affected by a defective product and have suffered losses as a result, filing a product liability claim may allow you to recover compensation. To learn more about your eligibility to pursue damages for your losses and injuries, contact a product liability lawyer today.
Creating Transparency
Litigation discovery processes often uncover internal documents and communications that might otherwise never come to light. These revelations help consumers understand what the company knew, when they knew it, and why they failed to act sooner. This allows other individuals to make informed decisions before purchasing products from these corporations.
Driving Systematic Changes
Major product liability verdicts and settlements have historically led to industry-wide improvements in safety standards and practices. The threat of significant financial penalties creates powerful incentives for manufacturers to prioritize consumer safety from the design stage through production and distribution.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Defective Products?
One of the most crucial aspects of product liability law is that it can hold multiple parties accountable throughout the distribution chain. Depending on the unique factors of your case, there are various parties who may be found liable for your losses.
Some of the parties commonly found to be at fault in product liability claims include the following:
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Manufacturers of the finished product
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Component part manufacturers
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Design consultants and engineers
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Quality control companies
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Distributors and wholesalers
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Retailers and sellers
This broad scope of liability ensures that all entities involved in bringing a dangerous product to market face appropriate responsibility. To ensure the at-fault parties are held liable in your case, contact a Texas lawyer today.
Should You Get Legal Representation For Your Defective Product Claim?
If you’ve been injured by a defective product, it’s important to understand that a recall announcement doesn’t limit your legal rights. Even if you receive a recall notice after suffering an injury, you may still pursue compensation through a product liability claim.
Effective legal representation is crucial in these complex cases. An experienced product liability attorney can offer the following benefits and services while building your case:
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Investigate the full scope of defects beyond what’s acknowledged in the recall
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Identify all potentially responsible parties
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Secure and preserve critical evidence
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Consult with expert witnesses who can testify about product dangers
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Calculate the full extent of damages beyond the product’s purchase price
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Navigate complex procedural requirements and statutes of limitations
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Negotiate effectively with corporate representatives or present a compelling case at trial
To learn more about how you can build a strong defective product claim, contact an experienced lawyer and begin the process of getting the justice you deserve.
Get Help With Your Product Liability Claim Today
At Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson LLP, we believe that manufacturers must be held to the highest standards of product safety and transparency. When recalls fall short, we’re committed to helping injured consumers secure the full accountability and compensation they deserve. Our firm has successfully represented clients in complex product liability cases for over six decades. We understand the strategies manufacturers use to minimize liability, and we have the experience and resources necessary to overcome corporate defenses and secure justice for our clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, whether it’s been recalled or not, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Call (512) 454-3751 or visit our online contact form to learn how we can help hold manufacturers accountable for the harm their products cause.
