TESTIMONIALS
I called Matt after several people recommended him. He was very kind and did a very good job on my son’s case. We are very thankful for the work he did. Most importantly, he was never hard to reach and answered every question we had while going through the process. Matt is the only attorney I will ever call in the future.
- Emily
My husband is a cyclist that did not fair well against an SUV recently. Matt and his team took phenomenal care of us, allowing us not to stress out (too much) about the little things. Matt and his team handled everything with professionalism. We know we made the right call.
- Jane
So glad I hired this firm after my rearend car accident. Matt embodies the skill set and values I was looking for. He treats every case like a mini war, and was a zealous advocate on my behalf. And he did so in the most competent and skillful manner. He listened, was empathetic and understood my legal and nonlegal problems.
- Jared
It was important to me to get the maximum money I could for my broken neck and arm. After getting jerked around for months by State Farm, I interviewed several firms and chose Mr. Wetherington. I’m glad I did. He forced the insurance company to pay twenty times their last offer to me.
- Veronica
It is an honor to share my experience with Mr. Wetherington. He was able to get answers about what happened in my son’s wreck that other attorney’s were not able to do. I am so thankful for the work that he did and he was very thorough in his explanation of why the vehicle had a “defect.”
- Anonymous
My case did not settle. The person that hit me only had minimal policy limits. Fortunately, I had my own insurance, which should have provided more money. My insurance company, Allstate, treated me like garbage. We had to sue them and go all the way to trial, which we won.
- Jane Doe
Matt Wetherington is the attorney who is suing the booting companies. We need to do everything we can as a community to help him succeed. God bless you, Mr. Wetherington!
- Michael
You would never bring a contaminated or dangerous product into your Georgia home on purpose, but you could be inadvertently doing just that when manufacturers release a defective product into the stream of commerce. Unfortunately, data indicates that there is cause for concern. Statistics indicate that there are more than 200 non-food items either recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC) or voluntarily recalled by manufacturers every year. Plus, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recalls almost 50 products annually. These figures do not include the number of products that cause injuries or fatalities in the absence of a recall, tragedies that occur far too often.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one because of a defective product, you may qualify to recover compensation under Georgia product liability laws. However, the process is complicated, especially when you are going up against a large corporation with a large legal team. Our lawyers at Wetherington Law Firm, P.C. have decades of combined experience in pursuing manufacturers and other potential parties, along with in-depth knowledge of the laws and high-level trial advocacy skills. Please contact us today to set up a free consultation with a product liability attorney in Atlanta, and check out some information about your rights.
Proving a Product Liability Claim
There are three theories of liability when pursuing a claim based upon defective products, including:
- Strict Liability: To recover compensation under this concept, you must prove that the product was defective and the direct cause of your injuries. Strict liability is the most common theory because you do not need to show that the manufacturer was at fault.
- Breach of Warranty: When a product comes with a promise that it will work in a certain way, you may have a claim for breach of an express or implied warranty. This remedy is based upon the notion of contractual privity, so there can be significant challenges with proof.
- Negligence: With this theory, you must show that the manufacturer breached the duty to exercise reasonable care in producing the item. Negligence is very difficult to prove in a product liability claim.
Keep in mind that there may be additional potential parties besides the manufacturer. You could pursue a claim against the store, seller, shipping company, warehouse, and other companies that played a role in getting the defective, dangerous product into consumers’ hands.
Common Injuries from Defective Products
Some defects are the result of the process of designing the item, so all products created in accordance with the process will be affected. There are also manufacturing defects, in which a single lot is impacted by a mistake with production. Labeling errors, such as failure to warn of inherent dangers, can also be the basis for a product liability claim.
Victims can suffer serious harm from defective products, including:
- Broken bones, cuts, bruises, and abrasions;
- Burns;
- Concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and brain damage;
- Cancer and other medical conditions from exposure to hazardous materials;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, herniated and bulging discs, and bursitis; and,
- Many others.
When enough people suffer from the same types of injuries, the matter could proceed as a class action. Examples include litigation involving tobacco, groundwater contamination, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. More recent cases are class actions on Roundup, talcum powder, and Takata airbags. If you qualify as a member of the class, you might participate in an existing case. However, it may also be possible to pursue your own lawsuit as an individual plaintiff.
Types of Compensation for Victims
Monetary damages in a defective product case aim to reimburse you for your losses, which are the various ways injuries impact your life. Our Atlanta product liability lawyers at Wetherington Law Firm, P.C. fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for:
1. Economic Damages: This category covers losses that are tangible and can be assigned a dollar value. You may obtain amounts for medical costs, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and related care. If you were unable to work because of your injuries, you can seek compensation for lost income.
2. Noneconomic Damages: Some losses are personal and subjective to the victim, who sustains consequences that affect the quality of life. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring and disfigurement.
Discuss Legal Options with a Product Liability Attorney in Atlanta
For more information on your rights and remedies, please go online to reach Wetherington Law Firm, P.C. We are happy to schedule a no-cost consultation with a skilled Georgia product liability lawyer.