The attorneys and staff at The Gooch Firm, P.C. in Salt Lake City, Utah provide effective representation to consumers, workers, and others who have been harmed by dangerous and defective products or product components, including auto parts, medical devices, home furnishings, appliances, and industrial materials. Our past cases have involved products ranging from cribs to snow blowers to protective industrial clothing. Our firm has helped many clients recover after being injured by a dangerous product. Please contact The Gooch Firm, P.C. for more information about potential products liability claims or to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced products liability attorney.
I have been a practicing attorney for over 20 years. During that time I have represented a wide range of people, with a wide range of injuries. My clients mean a great deal to me. I have assembled a team that is dedicated to getting the best results for the fantastic people we represent.
Manufacturers and suppliers of products have a duty to make sure that their products are safe for use and consumption. However, due to design flaws or manufacturing errors, some products are dangerously defective and should never have entered the marketplace. Each year, unsafe products seriously injure many people; and tragically, products with design flaws or manufacturing defects also cause a significant number of personal injuries and wrongful deaths. Victims of product defects may be entitled to recover damages from the manufacturer, distributor, seller, or installer of the product. Also, if an injury resulted from a negligent repair on the product, compensatory damages may be sought from the person or company that performed the repair.
Products liability claims are often classified by cases of design defects and cases of manufacturing defects. In a design defects case, the product has an inherent design flaw that is dangerous to everyone using the product. In a manufacturing defects case, the design may be safe, and accordingly, most of the product produced is safe; however, one item or one batch of items is manufactured improperly, causing those particular items to be dangerous.
Manufacturers also have a duty to warn consumers of non-obvious risks associated with the use or foreseeable misuse of a product. Not only must products contain a warning of such risks, but also the warning must be adequate, and in some cases, must include instructions for safe use. If a manufacturer, or sometimes a supplier, fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions, a consumer who is harmed may bring a products liability claim to recover money damages for his or her injuries and pain and suffering, as well as resulting economic losses.
A manufacturer may also be liable for harm caused by a product if the product fails to conform to any representations or warranties the manufacturer made about the product. Generally, this means that the product must be fit and safe for its ordinary use or purpose as expressed by the manufacturer. A manufacturer may be held liable for a product that is defective under this theory even if it did not act fraudulently, recklessly, or negligently in making the representation.
In some cases, defective products contribute to accidents caused by more than one factor. For example, if an automobile manufacturer produces a defective vehicle component, the manufacturer may be responsible for injuries caused by the defect. Also, if a mechanic fails to properly repair a vehicle, and that failure causes an accident, the mechanic and/or the repair shop is potentially liable for the harm that results. In some cases, the state may be liable for injuries if your accident resulted from deficient roadway maintenance, such as missing traffic signs or improper striping on passing lanes. We will thoroughly assess the circumstances surrounding your accident and identify all possible sources of liability to ensure you recover the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
