by William AllenCheck for Recalls! Preventing Defective Product Injuries
Have you ever wondered why there’s a tag on every hair dryer, warning you not to use it in the bath? Doesn’t everyone know not to do that?
In fact, there’s a reason these sorts of safety tags exist: it’s because dangerous and even defective products on the market injure and kill thousands of people every year. (In 2020, defective products sent a whopping 11 million people to the emergency room, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission). Without safe manufacturing and features like warning labels, many people—especially children who don’t know any better—experience harm.
Many of the products you use every day can cause harm if they are defective or used improperly. This includes things like televisions, cleaning products, ladders, ovens, and even beds!
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help avoid a defective product injury. Keep reading to find out how to stay safe!
#1 Read online reviews.
Before purchasing something (especially if you’ve never bought that kind of item or shopped from the brand), read the reviews. Other people will often point out if the product is defective in some way. Not only does this tactic save you money, but it also helps you avoid dangerous product defects.
What should you do if there are no reviews? Avoid buying it! “Early adopters” of new products and technologies often get burned. (Sometimes literally—consider the Samsung phone users whose phone batteries exploded in their pockets!)
#2 Read all instructions and the safety manual.
It’s easy to get complacent and think nothing bad will happen, but you know what they say: better safe than sorry.
Before using a new product, be sure to read the instructions for assembly and use. Also read the safety manual and any accompanying warning labels. Finally, don’t forget to read the instructions for care: some products can become deadly if they’re not maintained properly.
#3 Be careful with secondhand goods.
Used products may no longer be as durable or safe as they were when new.
Secondhand goods can be great: they’re often a good deal, better for the environment, and unique. However, make sure to take a hard look at their safety. This is especially true for pieces of furniture, appliances, cars, etc. Is the product still in good shape, or has it fallen into disrepair? If it’s in poor shape, are you able or likely to repair it before use?
#4 Check for recalls.
Recalls are one of the most important ways that consumers can avoid deadly products.
What is a recall? Basically, it is an alert from one of six different federal agencies that tells the public a product is defective, hazardous, or unsafe. (These agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission, FDA, EPA, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.)
Recalls are issued specifically to protect the public—so you know if a product of yours is on a recall list, it’s time to stop using it ASAP!
To check for recalls, you can visit Recalls.gov. This is a one-stop shop for recalls issued by any agency. There, you can find recalls for all types of products, from food products to tires. It’s a good idea to check periodically to see if your possessions made the list.
It can also be a good idea to check for recalls even before you’ve made the purchase, when safety is your number-one priority—like for vehicles, medications, cribs, or child car seats. You can check to see which products and brands are potentially unsafe. Sometimes, defective products stay on retailer shelves even after a recall is issued—so checking in advance is smart!
What to Do after a Defective Product Injury
There’s only so much you can do to stay safe. Sometimes, you can do everything right and still experience the misfortune of a defective product injury. It might be because a manufacturer or retailer knowingly sold you a faulty product, or maybe there weren’t adequate warnings on the product you used.
When you’ve been injured after using a defective or dangerous product, you have options. You can bring a product liability claim to hold the maker or seller of the product responsible for the harm.
If you have questions, we’re here to help. Call us today to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your case.
by William AllenNew Workers’ Compensation Law: What You Need to Know
Workers’ compensation law is complex and frequently changing. It’s next to impossible for the average person to keep up with it all.
Fortunately, that’s where we come in. The attorneys at Casper & Casper are here to walk you through everything you need to know about workers’ compensation law.
Recently, House Bill 81 made changes to several important areas of workers’ comp law. Keep reading to learn the highlights and how these changes might affect your case.
by William AllenCan I Sue If I’m Injured on Someone Else’s Property?
Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep the environment safe, so people who enter the property don’t get injured. (This area of the law is known as “premises liability.”) As a result, in many cases, it’s possible to sue.
However, there are important exceptions.
Today, we’re taking a look at injuries that happen on someone else’s property. We’ll explain when you can sue, what exceptions might prevent you from bringing a claim, and more.
by William AllenWorkers’ Comp & Suing for Emotional Distress
It has been well established that working day in and day out can result in physical injuries—whether from an unexpected accident or the repetitive motions of the job.
by William AllenWhy You Need a Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing a loved one can be an overwhelming and devastating experience. This is particularly true if the loss was unexpected and preventable.
by William AllenCan I Get Workers’ Comp for COVID-19?
What happens if you contract COVID-19 while on the job? Can you get workers’ compensation benefits?
As the COVID-19 pandemic extends, these questions continue to be important ones for many Ohio workers—particularly frontline and other essential workers, who’ve been at increased risk of contracting the disease.
Today, we’re discussing COVID-19 and workers’ compensation. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about this topic, including whether COVID is covered, what your rights are as a worker, and when to speak to an attorney.
by William AllenInjured at the Gym—Can I Sue?
Most people join the gym to improve their health and fitness. Yet, every year, there are hundreds of thousands of exercise and exercise equipment-related injuries, according to the National Safety Council.
If you are injured at the gym, what are your rights? When should you call an attorney? Find out what you need to know about this area of personal injury law.
by William AllenDoes Workers’ Comp Cover Illness?
If you get sick on the job, can you file for workers compensation?
This is a great question. Most people know that if they are injured at work—say, by falling off a ladder—workers’ comp will cover them. But what if the work injury isn’t an injury at all, but an illness? Does workers’ comp cover illness? If it doesn’t, are there other options?
As with many legal issues, the answer is: it depends. Keep reading to learn when an illness might be covered by workers’ compensation.
by William AllenDog Bite Lawyer Explains Warning Signs
Most dogs are man’s best friend—but not all of them. Our dog bite lawyers have seen up close how a vicious dog can cause tremendous harm. That’s why we want to give you the warning signs to help avoid this tragedy. But if it can’t be avoided, we also want you to know your legal options after a dog bite.
by William AllenWhat Do Workers’ Compensation Investigations Look For?
If you are applying for workers’ comp benefits, or facing an investigation, you need to know what workers’ compensation investigations look for. That’s because even truly injured workers can make mistakes that look like fraud—accidentally sabotaging a very real claim. You don’t want to get caught in the net that’s meant for fraudsters and scammers! Let’s look at workers’ compensation investigations: what they look for, how long they take, and when to call an attorney.