How to Hold Manufacturers Accountable for Dangerous Products
Every year, people are seriously injured by products they thought were safe. From faulty appliances and defective auto parts to unsafe children’s toys and prescription drugs, dangerous products can turn everyday items into serious threats. Holding the right parties accountable isn’t just about financial recovery—it’s about preventing future harm to others.
With help from an experienced dangerous products attorney, you can take legal action to pursue justice and compensation. Let’s explore what makes a product dangerous, how liability is determined, and what steps you can take to hold the responsible parties accountable.
What Makes a Product Legally “Dangerous”?
Not every product that causes an injury will qualify as defective under Texas law. A product must be unreasonably dangerous due to how it was made, how it was designed, or how it was marketed. In other words, the danger must come from more than just user error.
The main categories of product defects include:
Design defects: These occur when the product’s design is inherently unsafe, even when manufactured correctly. If there's a safer alternative design that could’ve reduced the risk, the manufacturer may be liable.
Manufacturing defects: This involves mistakes made during the production process. Even if the design is safe, errors in assembly, material selection, or construction can make a product unsafe.
Marketing or labeling defects: If a product lacks proper warnings, instructions, or information about potential risks, the manufacturer can be held accountable for failing to inform users.
A dangerous products attorney can help determine which type of defect applies to your case and identify which parties may be held responsible.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Product liability doesn't just apply to the company that made the item. Several parties can share responsibility, depending on how the product moved through the supply chain before reaching you. The goal is to hold every negligent entity accountable for the harm caused.
Parties that may be liable include:
Manufacturers: This includes the company that designed and produced the product.
Component suppliers: If a defect stems from a faulty part provided by another business, that supplier may also be liable.
Distributors and wholesalers: These middlemen may be responsible if they knew about the defect or contributed to the product's unsafe condition.
Retailers: Stores that sell defective products can also be held accountable, especially if they failed to remove known hazardous items from their shelves.
An experienced dangerous products attorney will evaluate the full chain of distribution to determine everyone who contributed to your injury.
Examples of Common Dangerous Products
Defective products come in many forms and can impact people of all ages. Some make headlines, while others quietly cause harm to unsuspecting users every day. Knowing which products are commonly involved in liability claims can help you spot potential issues before they escalate.
Examples of products that often lead to injury claims include:
Automobile parts: Faulty brakes, airbags, seatbelts, and tires are among the most frequent causes of accidents and injuries.
Prescription drugs and medical devices: Improper testing, labeling issues, or hidden side effects can have devastating health consequences.
Children’s toys and baby products: Small parts, toxic materials, or unsafe designs can result in serious injuries to children.
Household appliances and electronics: Malfunctioning wiring or overheating components can cause fires, shocks, or burns.
Tools and machinery: Construction and workshop equipment with missing safety features or faulty components can cause significant injuries.
Food products: Contamination or improper labeling (such as allergens not being listed) can result in serious health issues.
If you suspect a product caused your injury, don’t throw it away. Your dangerous products attorney will need the item, packaging, and documentation to investigate the claim.
How an Attorney Builds Your Case
Product liability cases often involve extensive research, professional analysis, and strategic legal planning. When you hire a dangerous products attorney, you're getting more than just legal advice—you’re hiring someone who will thoroughly investigate and build your claim from every angle.
Your attorney may begin by arranging product testing and analysis to determine what went wrong and how it caused your injury. They’ll review key documents such as medical records, purchase receipts, user manuals, and any product-related warnings.
Witness interviews may also be conducted to gather statements from those who saw the incident or used the product in the same way. In addition, your lawyer may consult with industry professionals like engineers, doctors, or product designers to offer knowledge into how the item should have functioned.
Throughout the process, your attorney will handle negotiations with insurers or manufacturers, pushing for a fair settlement or preparing to take the case to trial if needed. By building a strong, well-supported case, your dangerous products attorney will work to hold all responsible parties financially accountable for the harm you've suffered.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To
When you’re injured by a defective product, the losses go far beyond medical bills. Your attorney will carefully calculate both your current and future damages to pursue full and fair compensation. You may be eligible to recover costs related to medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, prescriptions, and long-term treatment.
Lost wages may also be claimed, covering income you missed due to time off work and reduced earning potential if you're unable to return to your job. Compensation for pain and suffering can address physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact on your quality of life.
If your injury results in permanent disability or disfigurement, you may be entitled to damages for those lasting changes. Property damage is another consideration, particularly if the defective product caused harm to other belongings like your car or home.
In cases where a manufacturer acted with reckless disregard for safety, the court may also award punitive damages as a form of punishment. Your dangerous products attorney will work diligently to make sure any settlement or verdict truly reflects the full scope of what you've endured.
What to Do After You’re Injured by a Defective Product
Time is critical in product liability cases. Taking the right steps early can help protect your legal claim and provide your attorney with the evidence needed to pursue justice. The first and most important action is to seek medical attention right away—your injuries and treatment must be well-documented.
Be sure to preserve the defective product, along with any packaging, receipts, or instructions that came with it. Document everything by taking clear photos of the product, your injuries, and the scene of the incident. It also helps to write down a detailed account of what happened, including how you were using the product and what went wrong.
Avoid speaking with manufacturers or insurance companies, and never give statements or sign documents without first getting legal advice. Contact a dangerous products attorney as soon as possible, as early involvement often strengthens your case.
Product Recalls vs. Legal Claims
Many people assume that if a product is recalled, that’s the end of the story. But a recall doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive compensation—or that the product wasn’t dangerous before it was removed from the market. Recalls are either voluntary or government-ordered notices that a product poses a safety risk.
While they may offer repairs, replacements, or refunds, they typically don’t include compensation for injuries caused by the defect. Legal claims, on the other hand, are filed to recover damages for injuries linked to the defective product, whether or not a recall was issued.
Even if the product you used was never recalled, you may still have a valid claim. A dangerous products attorney from the Rodman Law Office can help you explore your legal options and determine the preferred path forward.
Statute of Limitations in Texas Product Liability Cases
Texas law limits how long you have to file a product liability claim. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, the court will likely dismiss your case, regardless of how strong your evidence may be. There are a few exceptions to this rule.
Under the discovery rule, if the injury wasn't immediately apparent, the time limit may begin when you first discovered it. For minors who are injured, the deadline may be extended until they turn 18. In wrongful death cases, the time limit is typically two years from the date of death.
Contact the Rodman Law Office Today
Dangerous products can cause serious harm, and those responsible should be held accountable. Whether you're dealing with a defective car part, prescription drug, or household appliance, you don’t have to face the legal system alone.
With guidance from an experienced dangerous products attorney, you can protect your rights and demand compensation for yourself. At The Rodman Law Office, I proudly serve clients throughout the state, including Travis County, Williamson County, and Hays County. Call today.