As a consumer purchasing everyday goods, we have a certian expectation of safety standards,
unfortunately this is not always the case. Claims have been successfully brought against
manufacturers who have failed to meet these. Defective electrical goods have been known to
cause house fires. These at times have resulted in serious injuries and burns.
Examples of these are include:
There are a number of reasons for products to be faulty. It may be simply poor design
or an error in the manufacturing process. An electrical good may cause burns if it catches
fire or even electrocution.
If you are injured as a result of a product being defective such as a chair that breaks
or a cosmetic product that causes a severe skin reaction then you are within your rights
to submit a claim for compensation.
There have been many cases of serious side effects to pharmaceutical products, allergic
reactions to certain fabrics as well as incidences of poisoning from contaminated food
products.
Claims against large manufacturing companies require specialist legal representation.
There may be insufficient warnings displayed on the packaging. To help a claim, it is
important that all relevant documents are kept, including purchase receipts and
instructions. Photographs of any physical harm or injury are useful if used in evidence.
Group claims have been brought against manufacturers of pharmaceutical and medical
device products. In particular, claims for faulty prothetics in hip and knee joint
replacements. There have also been a number of claims against prescription drugs and
medicines.
There have been rashes and cuts caused by faulty fabrics known as "toxic sofa rash."
Claims have been made for faulty defribulators, exploding e-cigarettes and the latest
craze with hoverboards leading to injuries. Faulty PIP breast implants have left women
scarred with medical complications.
Amounts of compensation can vary significantly. A minor hand injury caused by an electrical
burn from a faulty toaster may result in a couple of thousand pounds awarded. A faulty hip
replacement could be awarded a hundred thousand pounds for the pain and suffering caused
with the likeliood of medical complications and corrective surgery.
There have been claims where young children have been injured by faulty baby buggies, these
have obviously attractive large amounts of compensation. Manufacturers sometimes fail to recall
products that they know are faulty. If the personal injuries are severe then rehabilitation will
need to be provided. Compensation will need to ensure that sufficient time is given for recovery.