1. What is product liability under Washington law?
Product liability refers to holding a manufacturer, distributor, or seller responsible for injuries caused by a defective or unsafe product. Under the Washington Product Liability Act, a product must be reasonably safe in design, manufacture, and warnings. If it isn’t, and someone is harmed, the injured person may have a legal claim.
2. What are the different types of product defects that can lead to a lawsuit?
In Washington, product liability claims usually fall into three categories:
- Design defects (the product was inherently unsafe by design)
- Manufacturing defects (an error occurred while making the product)
- Failure to warn (insufficient instructions or safety warnings).
Any of these defects can lead to serious injuries and form the basis of a claim.
3. Who can be held responsible for a defective product injury in Seattle?
Liability may fall on multiple parties, including the product’s manufacturer, designer, parts or component suppliers, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer. A Seattle product liability attorney can help identify all responsible parties under the Washington Product Liability Act.
4. What should I do if I’ve been injured by a defective product?
Preserve the product if possible, photograph the item and accident scene, gather witness statements, and retain documents like manuals or receipts. Then, contact a Seattle product liability lawyer to investigate your claim and protect your rights.
5. Can I sue for injuries caused by a recalled product?
Yes. A product recall can serve as evidence that a product was defective, but it is not required to file a lawsuit. If you were injured by a dangerous product, even one later recalled, you may still be entitled to compensation under Washington’s product liability laws.
6. What compensation can I recover in a product liability case?
You may be eligible for damages including medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs. In fatal cases, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. A Seattle defective product lawyer can help calculate your full damages.
7. How long do I have to file a product liability lawsuit in Washington?
Washington generally gives you three years from the date of injury to file a product liability claim. However, it’s best to act quickly to preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
8. I threw the defective product away. Can I still file a claim?
While preserving the product helps, it’s not always necessary. Photographs, receipts, witness statements, and medical records may still support your case. We can help investigate.
9. How long will this process take?
It depends on your case type and whether we reach a settlement or go to trial. We aim for timely resolution and will keep you updated at every step so you’re never left in the dark.
10. Do I have to talk to the insurance company?
No. Once you hire us, we deal with the insurance companies on your behalf — so you don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing or being pressured into a lowball offer.
11. What if I already started the claim process myself?
That’s okay — many clients come to us after trying to handle things alone. We can step in at any point to make sure your rights are protected and deadlines aren’t missed.
