Charlottesville Products Liability Lawyers

Products liability law allows victims to hold manufacturers and sellers accountable when their products cause harm. From faulty car parts to unsafe medical devices, defective products injure hundreds of thousands of people each year. These cases can be complex, and corporations often fight them aggressively, so having a knowledgeable products liability lawyer by your side is crucial to protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Elements of a Products Liability Claim

Product liability is an area of personal injury law that deals with injuries caused by defective or unsafe products. When a product is poorly designed or manufactured, or when it lacks proper safety warnings, it can malfunction and cause serious injury to the user. In Virginia and across the U.S., manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held liable for injuries their products cause under certain circumstances. However, proving a product liability claim requires showing several key elements:

Product Was Defective

The injury must be caused by a product with a flaw. This could be a design defect (an inherently unsafe design), a manufacturing defect (an error in how it was made), or a marketing defect (failure to warn or provide proper instructions).

Product Used As Intended

At the time of injury, the product should have been in essentially the same condition as when it was sold (no substantial alterations) and was being used in a way the manufacturer intended or should have foreseen.

Causation and Damages

The defect in the product must be the direct cause of the injury, and the injury likely would not have occurred if the product were not defective.

These elements can be challenging to prove. Corporations often deny their product was at fault or argue the user misused it. This is why legal representation is so important. An experienced products liability attorney will know how to investigate the incident, gather evidence, consult expert witnesses, and build a strong case demonstrating that the product was defective and caused your injuries. Without an attorney, injured consumers might find it difficult to stand up to big manufacturers or navigate the complex legal and technical issues involved in a product liability lawsuit.

Types of Cases

MichieHamlett’s products liability lawyers in Charlottesville, VA handle a wide range of defective product cases. Defective products can come in many forms – from everyday household items to specialized industrial equipment. Some of the common types of product liability cases our firm handles include:

Defective Medical Devices

Medical devices and implants that are flawed can cause life-threatening complications. We represent patients injured by devices like defective implants, artificial joints, pacemakers, surgical mesh, and other medical products that failed or had dangerous side effects.

Dangerous Drugs

When pharmaceutical companies release unsafe medications or fail to warn about severe side effects, patients can suffer. Our attorneys pursue claims involving dangerous prescription drugs, contaminated medications, or inadequate drug warnings, holding drug manufacturers accountable for the harm done.

Automotive Defects

Serious auto accidents and injuries can result from faulty vehicle components. We handle cases involving defective car parts such as malfunctioning airbags, seat belts, tires, brakes, or fuel systems that lead to crashes or make injuries worse. Automotive product liability claims often involve taking on large car manufacturers or parts suppliers.

Industrial Equipment Failures

Workers and consumers rely on heavy machinery and industrial equipment to be safe. When equipment like power tools, factory machines, construction vehicles, or farm equipment fails due to defects, devastating injuries can occur. We have experience handling complex cases of industrial product failures, even in the face of technical engineering issues and powerful corporate defendants.

Consumer Product Defects

Any everyday product – from home appliances and electronics to children’s toys and furniture – can be defective. For example, appliances with faulty wiring can cause fires or electrocutions, and unsafe toys can pose choking hazards to children. Our firm stands up for consumers injured by all kinds of consumer products, seeking compensation for injuries like burns, electrocution, asphyxiation, fractures, or other serious harm.

Other Dangerous Products

This area of law covers virtually any product sold to the public that causes injury when it shouldn’t. We have seen cases involving chemicals and toxic substances, recreational and sporting equipment, defective safety gear, and more. If a product injured you due to a preventable hazard, our attorneys are prepared to evaluate your case.

No matter what type of product caused your injury, the common thread is that the product was unreasonably dangerous or defective when used as directed. Our lawyers have the broad experience to take on product liability claims across all these categories. We understand the complex technical details and work with experts in fields like engineering, medicine, and biomechanics to prove exactly how the product was defective and why the manufacturer should be held responsible.

Experience and Results

When you’re facing off against a large manufacturer or insurance company, you need a law firm with a proven track record of success in complex product liability litigation. MichieHamlett has built a strong reputation throughout Virginia for achieving justice in difficult injury cases – including numerous high-value settlements and verdicts that show our commitment to our clients’ causes.

Our results speak volumes.

Each year, Virginia Lawyers Weekly publishes a list of the top verdicts and settlements in the state. In 2020, MichieHamlett was featured five times for settlements exceeding $1 million. These included multi-million dollar recoveries for victims of negligence and defective products. For example, our attorneys secured a $3.5 million settlement for the family of a 10-year-old student who was tragically killed by an unsafe motorized partition at school. These cases involved going up against both the school system and the companies that designed, manufactured, and installed the faulty partitions – and our team persevered to get justice for the families.

Partner Bryan Slaughter has over 20 years of experience fighting for those injured by unsafe products and negligence. He has successfully settled and tried numerous seven-figure cases throughout Virginia, including lawsuits against some of the largest manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, hospitality, and insurance corporations in the world. Bryan is known for his meticulous preparation and dedication – applying extensive resources to investigate every detail, work with expert witnesses, and even conduct mock trials to build the strongest case possible. As a result of his skill and integrity, Bryan has earned respect in the legal community: he is a former President of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and has been invited into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, an honor extended only to top trial attorneys.

Partner Anthony “Tony” Russell has tried over 100 jury trials, achieving many verdicts in excess of $1 million. In fact, he has been recognized for obtaining some of the largest jury verdicts in Virginia in multiple recent years. Tony’s excellence has earned him recognition in The Best Lawyers in America© for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, among other honors. These accolades reflect the level of expertise and commitment that all our product liability attorneys bring to each case.

Together, our legal team has decades of combined experience in product liability and personal injury law. MichieHamlett has been advocating for injured Virginians for over 75 years, taking on cases ranging from individual lawsuits to complex class actions. Our firm has the investigative resources, industry knowledge, and courtroom skill to take on deep-pocketed manufacturers and corporations – and win. We are proud of the results we’ve achieved for our clients, but we are even more proud of the difference those results make in our clients’ lives, helping them recover financial stability and a sense of justice after a traumatic injury.

How We Can Help

Pursuing a product liability claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with serious injuries. MichieHamlett Trial Attorneys strives to make the legal process as smooth and supportive as possible for our clients. When you hire our Charlottesville products liability lawyers, we handle every aspect of your case from start to finish so you can focus on healing. Our comprehensive approach to representation includes:

Investigation

We start by thoroughly investigating how the product caused your injury. Our attorneys will gather and preserve crucial evidence such as the product itself, maintenance or usage records, photos of the accident scene or injuries, and any available surveillance footage or witness statements. We often work with skilled investigators and consult with industry experts who can inspect the product and provide insights into design or manufacturing flaws. This detailed investigation is essential to prove the product was defective and to identify all parties who may be liable (for example, the product manufacturer, parts suppliers, distributors, or retailers).

Expert Analysis

Product liability claims frequently require testimony from experts. MichieHamlett has an extensive network of expert witnesses in fields like engineering, medicine, biomechanics, fire investigation, and more, depending on the product involved. We will engage qualified experts to analyze what went wrong with the product and to explain how that defect caused your injuries. Expert analysis can strengthen your case by providing scientific and technical support for your claims.

Building the Legal Case

Our attorneys handle all the legal heavy lifting. We will determine the best legal basis for your claim – whether it’s negligence, strict liability for a defective product, breach of warranty, or a combination. We prepare and file the lawsuit in the appropriate court, draft thorough legal pleadings, and handle all court requirements and deadlines. Throughout the case, we deal with the lawyers for the defendant companies and their insurance carriers, so you don’t have to. Our team is skilled at managing the litigation process, from filing motions and conducting depositions to formulating persuasive arguments for trial.

Negotiation and Settlements

In many product injury cases, manufacturers or their insurers may offer a settlement to resolve the claim outside of court. We are strong negotiators who know the fair value of your case based on our experience with similar claims and past results. We will engage in settlement discussions and mediation on your behalf, fighting for a settlement that fully compensates you for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. We are never looking for a quick, low-value settlement – our priority is to secure the maximum compensation you are entitled to. If the defense offers a fair settlement that meets your needs, we will advise you and handle all the paperwork to finalize your compensation.

Trial Representation

If the opposing side refuses to offer a satisfactory settlement, you can count on MichieHamlett to be fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers with a track record of success before Virginia juries. We will present a compelling case on your behalf, using exhibits, expert testimony, and effective legal arguments to prove the product was defective and the defendants are liable for your injuries. Big companies often have aggressive legal teams, but we have the skill and tenacity to match them in the courtroom. Our thorough preparation and trial experience often put us in a strong position to win a verdict – or to spur the defendant into offering a better settlement even once trial is underway.

Personal Support and Guidance

Throughout the entire process, we make it a point to provide compassionate support and clear communication. Suffering a serious injury from a defective product can be life-altering, and we truly care about our clients’ well-being. We will keep you updated on progress, explain your options at every stage, and answer any questions you have. Our lawyers take the time to understand how your injuries have impacted your life so that we can convey your story effectively during negotiations or trial. You won’t be just another case file to us – you’ll have a dedicated legal team fighting for you and supporting you at every step.

No Fee Unless You Win

If you or a family member suffered injuries due to a defective product, it’s important to get qualified legal advice as soon as possible. MichieHamlett offers free consultations for product liability cases – this means you can speak with our experienced lawyers about the details of your situation at no cost. We will evaluate whether you have a valid claim, explain your legal rights and options, and answer any questions you have about the process. This consultation is confidential and comes with no obligation.

Our firm also operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and product liability cases. This means you pay no upfront fees and no hourly charges. We only get paid if and when we recover compensation for you, whether through a settlement or a trial verdict. If we don’t win, you owe nothing for attorneys’ fees. This contingency fee arrangement allows injured individuals to access top-tier legal representation without worrying about the cost. It also aligns our interests with yours – our team is highly motivated to achieve the best possible outcome in your case, because our success is directly tied to your success.

Time is a factor in these cases. Evidence can degrade or disappear, and Virginia law sets strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing product liability lawsuits. Don’t delay in seeking legal help. Contact our Charlottesville product liability lawyers today to protect your rights.

Contact Us

Call our Charlottesville office at (434) 951-7200 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation and discuss your case with a knowledgeable attorney. Let us put our experience, resources, and dedication to work for you. We will help you understand your legal options and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.