Johnstown Product Liability Lawyer

If you’ve been injured by a defective product in Cambria County, a Johnstown product liability lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Defective and dangerous products enter the marketplace more often than most people realize, causing serious injuries to unsuspecting consumers who use these items as intended. When manufacturers, distributors, or retailers put profits ahead of safety, innocent people pay the price through painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lost income.

At Munley Law, we understand product liability cases and the challenges injured consumers face when going up against large corporations. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented clients harmed by dangerous medications, faulty vehicle components, malfunctioning household appliances, and defective industrial equipment. We work diligently to identify all responsible parties in the supply chain and hold them accountable for their negligence.

Product liability cases require thorough investigation, technical expertise, and legal knowledge to build a compelling claim. Our team works with industry experts to determine exactly how and why a product failed and establish the connection between the defect and your injuries. Don’t face the aftermath of a product-related injury alone. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with our Johnstown product liability attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps toward recovery and justice.

What is Product Liability?

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility manufacturers, distributors, and sellers have when their products harm consumers. In Pennsylvania, consumers have the right to expect that products they purchase and use as directed will be reasonably safe. Companies that fail to meet this standard can be held liable for resulting injuries.

Three main types of product defects can lead to liability claims:

• Design defects exist before the product is manufactured. These flaws make the product inherently unsafe, even when built according to specifications. For example, a chair designed with an unstable base that tips over easily has a design defect.
• Manufacturing defects occur during the production process. The product design may be safe, but assembly, material quality, or production errors create dangers. 
• Marketing defects involve inadequate instructions, improper labeling, or insufficient safety warnings. Manufacturers must provide clear directions and warn users about potential hazards, even when the product is used as intended. Failing to include warnings about side effects on medication or not providing proper usage instructions for power tools are examples of marketing defects.

Under Pennsylvania law, product liability claims generally follow the principle of strict liability. Therefore, you don’t need to prove negligence, just that the product was defective and this defect caused your injury. However, these cases still require substantial evidence and legal expertise. The statute of limitations for product liability claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of injury. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a product-related injury.

How Our Johnstown Product Liability Lawyers Can Help

Building a successful product liability case requires specific expertise and resources. When you work with Munley Law, our attorneys handle every aspect of your claim. We examine the defective product, review design specifications, study manufacturing processes, and assess marketing materials to identify exactly how and where the defect occurred.

Our team collects medical records, photographs, witness statements, and other documentation to establish the connection between the product defect and your injuries. We work with engineers, medical professionals, safety specialists, and industry experts who can analyze the product and provide testimony about its defects and dangers.

Products often pass through many hands before reaching consumers. We identify all potentially responsible parties in the supply chain, including designers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and component suppliers. We determine the full extent of your losses, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other factors to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Our attorneys handle all insurance negotiations, defending your rights and working toward a fair settlement that covers your complete damages. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we prepare your case for trial and represent you in court, presenting compelling evidence and arguments to support your claim. Throughout this process, we keep you updated and involved. We explain your options and advise on the best decisions for your situation. Our attorneys at Munley Law bring decades of experience in product liability cases, giving you a significant advantage when seeking compensation.

What To Do After a Defective Product Injury in Johnstown

The steps you take immediately following a defective product injury can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. 

Seek medical attention right away. Your health is the top priority, and prompt treatment creates medical documentation of your injuries.

Preserve the product if possible. Don’t throw away or return the defective item; it will be important evidence. Store it in a safe place without attempting repairs.

Document everything. Take photographs of the product and your injuries. Keep all receipts, packaging, instruction manuals, and warnings that came with the product.

Record details about the incident. Write down how you were using the product, what happened, and mention any witnesses present.

Avoid discussing your case on social media or with the product manufacturer or retailer before speaking with an attorney.

When you meet with a Munley Law attorney, bring all documentation related to your injury and the product, including:

• The product itself (if possible) and all packaging and instructions
• Medical records and bills
• Purchase receipts or proof of purchase
• Photos of your injuries and the product
• Names and contact information for any witnesses
• Any communication from the manufacturer or seller
• Documentation of missed work and lost wages

This information helps us evaluate your case and build the strongest possible claim on your behalf. The sooner you contact us after an injury, the better we can preserve essential evidence and protect your legal rights.

Damages You Can Recover in Product Liability Cases

Product injuries often result in significant financial and personal losses. Pennsylvania law allows injury victims to seek compensation for various damages.

Medical expenses cover all costs related to treating your injuries, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and future medical treatment you may need. You may be entitled to recover damages for lost wages, the compensation for wages lost while recovering from your injuries, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to work in the future. Monetary damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from your injuries.

Beyond damages for injuries or lost income, you can pursue compensation to reimburse any property damaged by the defective product. In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, additional compensation may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior. The value of your claim depends on the circumstances of your situation, including the severity of your injuries, their long-term impact on your life, and the degree of the manufacturer’s negligence. Munley Law’s legal team carefully calculates the full extent of your damages to ensure you seek appropriate compensation for all your losses.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For a Defective Product?

Product liability cases often involve multiple responsible parties throughout the distribution chain. Depending on the circumstances of your case, liability may extend to:

• The company that made the finished product, which bears primary responsibility for design and manufacturing defects. This includes ensuring the product’s safety through proper testing and quality control.
• Companies that produce individual parts used in the final product may be liable if those components were defective.
• Wholesalers and distributors, middlemen in the supply chain, can be held responsible for distributing unsafe products, particularly if they knew or should have known about potential dangers.
• Retailers and stores that sell defective products to consumers may share liability, even if they weren’t involved in manufacturing the item.
• Organizations that certified the product as safe may be liable if they failed to identify obvious defects or hazards.

Identifying all potentially responsible parties is essential to maximize your recovery and ensure you receive full compensation. At Munley Law, we conduct comprehensive investigations to determine every entity that contributed to your injuries and hold them accountable for their role in bringing a dangerous product to market.

Contact Our Johnstown Product Liability Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product in Johnstown or anywhere in Pennsylvania, contact Munley Law immediately. Our law firm’s experienced product liability attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your case.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and determination to fight large corporations and insurance companies for the compensation you deserve. Call Munley Law today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you hold negligent manufacturers accountable and recover the compensation you need to move forward after a product-related injury.