If you took a walk around your home and looked at every product and appliance, you would likely see more than a few warning labels. Some of them are so obvious that they even seem silly, such as a hair dryer telling you not to dry your hair in the shower or bathtub. In some cases, these warning labels are there because someone did the silly thing in question, while in other cases it is a result of the manufacturing trying to cover their bases.
But is that enough? If a person is injured due to an issue with a product that was covered by the warning label, does that mean that the manufacturer cannot be held liable for product liability? Not necessarily. Keep reading to find out more. If you believe you have grounds for this or another type of personal injury lawsuit, please reach out to The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 so that we can provide a free legal consultation.
The idea behind excessive warning labels is not valid
Some companies try to add every warning they can think of in the hopes that if they do so, they will not be found at fault if their product injures a person. These are known as disclaimers and can be effect in preventing a person from using a product incorrectly. One example is paints and chemicals that warn about fumes that could result in a person passing out. A warning label could tell consumers to only use the product in an area that is well ventilated.
That said, a disclaimer does not necessarily absolve a company if their product is dangerous or defective, or if someone is injured while using the product in a reasonable way. For example, considering the paint issue above, if a person opens their windows and still passes out from fumes, that would likely be considered a reasonable use of the product and the warning label would not likely prevent the company from being held liable for the injury. If a product is so dangerous that even following the warning labels does not protect consumers, then the manufacturer is likely responsible for injuries.
Note that if you use the product unreasonably then you are responsible
In the event that you use a product in a way in which it was not intended to be used, then it is unlikely you can file a product liability lawsuit. Consider a situation in which a person climbs on top of a ladder and jumps off of it. This is not the intended purpose and would not warrant a personal injury lawsuit. On the other hand, if a person climbs a ladder as instructed and the ladder’s rung breaks unexpectedly, then there may be grounds.
If you are unsure if you have a reason to file a personal injury lawsuit then there is just one thing to do: Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
