You bought a product. You used it the way it was intended. And it hurt you anyway. That’s a design defect. However, product design defect claims require experienced legal representation.
Proving design flaws in court is one of the most technically demanding challenges in personal injury law, but it is also one of the most powerful tools an injured consumer has. Here is what a defective product attorney wants you to understand before you decide whether to pursue a claim.
Understanding Product Design Defect Claims
A design defect is different from a manufacturing defect.
- A manufacturing defect affects one bad unit.
- A design defect means the problem was built into the blueprint
Product design defects impact every single product of that model that ever reached a consumer’s hands. And that can be dangerous. Under New York law, a product is considered defectively designed when its risks outweigh its benefits and a safer alternative design was feasible and practical.
Courts apply the risk-utility test to determine whether the manufacturer could have designed the product more safely at a reasonable cost. If the answer is yes and they choose not to, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Product design defect claims can be brought against manufacturers, distributors, component suppliers, and retailers. The law casts a wide net, and Sullivan and Sullivan know exactly how to use it.
Who Gets Hurt by Defectively Designed Products?
Because the product design flaw exists in every unit, the potential for harm isn’t limited to one unlucky consumer. It’s systemic. Some of the most common product design defect claims involve:
- Motor vehicles with defective brakes, steering systems, or fuel tanks
- Children’s toys and juvenile products with choking or entrapment hazards
- Power tools and industrial equipment without adequate safety guards
- Medical devices, including implants and drug delivery systems
- Household appliances with fire, electrical, or chemical hazard risks
- Helmets and protective gear that fail to absorb impact as designed
- Furniture and structural products are prone to collapse under foreseeable use
In every case, the manufacturer has an obligation to design a product that is reasonably safe for its intended use. When they fall short, injured consumers have the right to hold them accountable. Contact Sullivan and Sullivan personal injury lawyers to learn more and develop your legal strategy.
What Does Proving Design Flaws Require?
Product design defect claims are not simple cases. They require technical expertise, strategic investigation, and an attorney who can translate complex engineering concepts into a compelling legal argument. Without expert testimony, a design defect claim rarely survives in court.
Meanwhile, meeting an industry standard doesn’t automatically mean a product is safe. Your attorney will argue the risk-utility test independently of what the industry considered acceptable at the time. We can obtain internal emails, safety testing reports, and engineering memos to reveal that a manufacturer knew about a design flaw and chose not to address it.
Comparative product analysis is another effective tool in proving design flaws. If a competing manufacturer solved the same design problem without incurring the same risks, it directly undermines any argument that the safer design was infeasible.
Schedule a Consultation Today
You may never know what a full investigation would have uncovered unless you have an attorney who knows how to find out. What you do know is that you were hurt, that the product failed you, and that you deserve answers. We agree.
If you believe a defectively designed product caused your injury, don’t wait to seek experienced legal counsel. Contact Sullivan and Sullivan now to book a consultation.
