Richmond Product Liability Lawyer

Trusted Product Liability Attorney in Richmond, VA

When we purchase products from a store or online, we expect them to be tested and safe. Unfortunately, sometimes products prove to be unsafe, whether by design or because of faulty manufacturing. Occasionally, these faults result in injuries or even death for people who buy and use the products. If you are in the Richmond area and need to file a product liability claim, you can begin by reaching out to an experienced Richmond product liability lawyer. 

About Brooks & Baez

At Brooks & Baez, our attorneys have decades of combined experience advocating for injury victims to receive the compensation they deserve. We approach each case with a can-do attitude so our clients can navigate the legal system confidently. We are a bilingual firm, so we are equipped to advocate for you whether you speak English or Spanish. 

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability is the concept that the manufacturer of a product is responsible for any injuries that customers sustain because of faults with the product. People are injured by defective products with surprising frequency. In 2024, 15.1 million individuals in the United States went to emergency rooms because of consumer product-related injuries.  In order to pursue a product liability case, the following statements must be true: 

• The product in question had some kind of defect.
• The injured person used the product as it was intended to be used. 
• The defect in the product caused harm to the user.
• The injured person suffered actual damages that can be compensated. 

Unlike in premises liability or other personal injury scenarios, a person filing a product liability claim does not have to allege or prove that the manufacturer of the product was negligent or malicious in their actions. They only have to demonstrate that the product they created was the cause of the harm. 

What Damages Can a Person Recover in a Product Liability Case? 

A person who was injured because of a faulty product can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for all of the losses associated with the injury. General categories of compensation are as follows: 

• Medical bills. Compensation in a personal injury case should cover all medical bills associated with the injury, from the very first emergency room visit to the final physical therapy session, if applicable. Injured parties should make sure to document all medical expenses for the purpose of including them in the claim. 
• Lost wages. Many hardworking people cannot afford to miss a single paycheck, let alone several. Injured individuals sometimes have to be out of work for extended periods, creating a significant financial burden for victims and their families. 
• Pain and suffering. Although it may seem strange to try to quantify a concept like pain and suffering, this is a standard component of personal injury settlements. It addresses both the physical pain of the injury and any psychological or emotional distress, as well. 

The goal of a personal injury settlement is to help the injured person restore their life as much as possible to the way it was before the injury. Financially, it should be as if it never happened. 

Hire a Product Liability Lawyer

If you need to pursue compensation for a product liability case, an ideal first step is to hire a product liability lawyer. Typically, people who are injured by a defective product can file a claim with the manufacturer’s product liability insurance. However, an insurance claim alone is unlikely to result in an adequate settlement. 

If you enlist the help of a product liability lawyer, they can communicate with the insurance company for you, which may encourage the company to pay your claim. If your insurance claim is still denied or underpaid, your attorney can file a personal injury claim on your behalf and negotiate toward a satisfactory outcome. Should the case eventually go to trial, your lawyer can advocate for you in the courtroom, as well.

FAQs

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Product Liability Claim in Virginia? 

Yes, there is a time limit for filing a product liability claim in Virginia. The statute of limitations for premises liability is two years, as established in Section 8.01-243 of the Code of Virginia, which covers personal injury claims. After this time period, the injury is no longer legally actionable, so it is important to hire an attorney and take action in a timely manner if you need to seek compensation. 

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated? 

Pain and suffering are usually calculated using either the multiplier method or the per diem method. In the multiplier method, the total of the victim’s financial losses is multiplied by a number chosen based on how significantly the injury impacts their life. In the per diem method, pain and suffering compensation are calculated based on the victim’s usual daily earnings. 

How Long Will My Product Liability Case Take to Resolve? 

It is not possible to say how long it will take to resolve your product liability case. The length of a case depends on several factors, including the amount of time it takes for the injured person to recover, how many defendants there are, and whether the case goes to trial. Some cases can be resolved in a matter of months, while others may take much longer. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Product?

There are often many potentially liable parties for a defective product, depending on the nature of the defect. Some possibly liable parties include the maker of the whole product, the maker of any defective parts of the product, the company that sold the product, or the person or company that completed the installation. Sometimes, more than one of these parties is liable for the same case. 

Contact Brooks & Baez Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product in Richmond, you have options for seeking compensation. The legal system can be complicated, and the concept of pursuing a settlement may seem overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Contact Brooks & Baez today to discuss your case.