When you purchase a product, whether it’s a car, a household appliance, or a child’s toy, you trust that it’s safe to use. Unfortunately, not all products live up to that expectation. Every year, thousands of people are injured by items that are poorly designed, defectively manufactured, or sold without adequate warnings.
Injuries from dangerous products can range from minor cuts to life-altering burns, broken bones, or even fatalities. Victims are often left asking: Who should be held responsible when a product causes harm?
At Steele Adams Hosman, we believe that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must be held accountable when they put profits ahead of consumer safety. This article explains how product liability works in Utah, what types of cases commonly arise, and what victims can do to protect their rights.
What Is Product Liability?
Product liability is an area of law that allows consumers to hold companies legally responsible when their products cause harm. Unlike some other types of personal injury cases, you don’t always have to prove that the manufacturer was negligent. Instead, liability often rests on the principle that products should be safe when used as intended.
Under Utah law, product liability claims can be brought against:
- Manufacturers who design or produce the product
- Distributors who move the product through the supply chain
- Retailers who sell the product to the public
If any party in this chain puts a defective or unsafe product into the marketplace, they may be legally responsible for resulting injuries.
Types of Product Defects
Not all product liability cases are the same. Generally, they fall into one of three categories:
- Design Defects
- The product is inherently dangerous because of its design.
- Example: An SUV model prone to rolling over during sharp turns.
- Manufacturing Defects
- The product design is safe, but something went wrong during production.
- Example: A batch of prescription drugs contaminated during processing.
- Marketing / Failure to Warn
- The product lacked proper instructions or warnings about risks.
- Example: A cleaning chemical sold without clear warnings about toxic fumes.
In any of these situations, victims may have grounds to pursue a product liability claim.
Common Examples of Dangerous Products
Product liability cases can involve almost any type of consumer item. Some of the most common include:
- Defective vehicles: Cars with faulty brakes, airbags, or ignition systems.
- Children’s toys: Items with choking hazards or toxic paint.
- Medical devices: Hip implants or pacemakers that fail prematurely.
- Prescription drugs: Medications with undisclosed or dangerous side effects.
- Household appliances: Products prone to electrical fires or explosions.
- Power tools: Equipment sold without proper safety guards.
Each of these categories has been at the center of lawsuits nationwide, including in Utah.
Hurt by a dangerous product? Let Steele Adams Hosman fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Utah’s Approach to Product Liability
Utah law recognizes the serious harm defective products can cause. Victims in Utah can bring claims under the state’s Products Liability Act. Some key points include:
- Strict liability: In many cases, manufacturers can be held strictly liable. This means you don’t have to prove negligence, only that the product was defective and caused your injury.
- Comparative negligence: If you misused the product in a way that contributed to your injury, your compensation may be reduced under Utah’s comparative negligence rule.
- Statute of limitations: You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit in Utah.
Because these deadlines and rules can be strict, contacting a lawyer quickly is critical.
Real-World Example: A Defective Car in Utah
Imagine you’re driving along I-15 near Salt Lake City when your car’s airbag fails to deploy during a collision. Instead of protecting you, the defect leaves you with a severe head injury.
In this case, the vehicle manufacturer and possibly the airbag supplier could be liable for your injuries. By filing a product liability claim, you could seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care needs.
What Compensation Can Victims Recover?
Victims of defective products may be entitled to recover:
- Medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages if you missed work due to your injuries
- Loss of future earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job
- Pain and suffering for physical and emotional distress
- Property damage (such as a totaled vehicle in a defective car accident)
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one died because of a defective product
Every case is unique, and the damages depend on the severity of your injuries and the role the product played in causing them.
Challenges in Product Liability Cases
Product liability cases are often complicated for several reasons:
- Large corporations have deep resources to fight lawsuits.
- Technical evidence may be required to prove design or manufacturing flaws.
- Multiple parties (manufacturer, distributor, retailer) may argue over who is responsible.
This is why working with an experienced attorney is so important. At Steele Adams Hosman, we partner with industry experts to uncover design flaws, analyze safety testing, and demonstrate how the product failed.
Call Steele Adams Hosman today to schedule a free consultation.
How Steele Adams Hosman Can Help
Pursuing a product liability case requires a detailed strategy. Here’s how our team supports clients:
- Investigating the product: We work with engineers and industry specialists to determine exactly how the product failed.
- Preserving evidence: We make sure the defective product is safely stored and available for expert review.
- Identifying all liable parties: From the manufacturer to the retailer, we pursue every responsible entity.
- Fighting for maximum compensation: We won’t let corporations minimize your injuries or offer unfair settlements.
We also know how overwhelming this process feels. Our team keeps you informed, explains your options clearly, and ensures your voice is heard.
Preventing Future Harm
One of the most powerful aspects of product liability cases is their ability to drive change. Holding manufacturers accountable doesn’t just help victims recover compensation, it also encourages safer designs, clearer warnings, and stricter testing.
For example, lawsuits over defective car parts have led to massive recalls, making the roads safer for everyone. Cases involving unsafe toys have forced companies to improve quality control, protecting children across the country.
When you pursue a claim, you’re not only seeking justice for yourself but also helping prevent similar tragedies for others.
Taking the First Step
If you believe you’ve been injured by a defective product, here’s what to do:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Your health always comes first.
- Keep the product in its current condition. Don’t throw it away.
- Save all packaging, instructions, and receipts.
- Document your injuries with photos and medical records.
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Don’t face the insurance company alone. Contact Steele Adams Hosman now!
