Faulty Products
Every year in the UK a significant number of people sustain injuries as a result of faulty products, whether it is defective domestic appliances, problems with specialist equipment or even faulty workmanship.
According to the Consumer Protection Act of 1987, it is the responsibility of the manufacture of a defective product that is to blame in a situation where a faulty product is the cause of any sustained injury, the manufacturer being either a company that actually produces the product in question, or who imports a product. However, the manufacturer is not absented from any responsibility involving injury if he issues warnings or caution about a product on the packaging. Usually, it is the manufacturer that is sued, not the retailer who sold you the product. In a case where it is unknown who the manufacturer or importer is, then the retailer will be held responsible. This may come under the Trade Descriptions Act.
However, there are certain clauses when a manufacturer or company cannot be held responsible for your injuries, notably if they were unaware that such an injury could result from the product in question, the product was altered in some way after leaving the manufacturer, a defect was caused to the product as a result of incorrect assembly, or the product was incorrectly inserted into another product thus causing damage to one or either of the products.
Making a personal injury claim should always be a 'no win no fee' situation where the person receiving injuries will not incur any fees, all such fees being paid for by the third party should the claim for compensation prove successful. However, claiming compensation as a result of a faulty product isn't always as easy as it appears. For this reason it is best to be realistic about the situation rather than banking on receiving a generous handout in the form of compensation.
Compensation will certainly to be reduced if the supplier of the product in question has evidence that the user was knowingly negligent with the product or put it to improper use. It cannot be assumed that all products come with a guarantee of safety for the period that you actually own and use it, especially if it is stated in the contract that such a warranty is only effective during a specific period of time. No compensation claim can be submitted if a product was bought more than 10 years previously.
Whilst there are guidelines as to the extent of compensation that you could be rewarded, your solicitor will make an informed judgement based on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, gender, age, the time period in which you were affected by the injuries received, how such injuries effect your employment, your social life and sex life, the effect of financial losses, whether your injuries are still visible and many other factors. Receiving adequate compensation depends on a solicitor's written guidelines and experience, and will almost certainly require evidence from an injury specialist to strengthen your case before a specialist injury solicitor will even begin the process for claiming compensation.
However, there are certain clauses when a manufacturer or company cannot be held responsible for your injuries, notably if they were unaware that such an injury could result from the product in question, the product was altered in some way after leaving the manufacturer, a defect was caused to the product as a result of incorrect assembly, or the product was incorrectly inserted into another product thus causing damage to one or either of the products.
Making a personal injury claim should always be a 'no win no fee' situation where the person receiving injuries will not incur any fees, all such fees being paid for by the third party should the claim for compensation prove successful. However, claiming compensation as a result of a faulty product isn't always as easy as it appears. For this reason it is best to be realistic about the situation rather than banking on receiving a generous handout in the form of compensation.
Compensation will certainly to be reduced if the supplier of the product in question has evidence that the user was knowingly negligent with the product or put it to improper use. It cannot be assumed that all products come with a guarantee of safety for the period that you actually own and use it, especially if it is stated in the contract that such a warranty is only effective during a specific period of time. No compensation claim can be submitted if a product was bought more than 10 years previously.
Whilst there are guidelines as to the extent of compensation that you could be rewarded, your solicitor will make an informed judgement based on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, gender, age, the time period in which you were affected by the injuries received, how such injuries effect your employment, your social life and sex life, the effect of financial losses, whether your injuries are still visible and many other factors. Receiving adequate compensation depends on a solicitor's written guidelines and experience, and will almost certainly require evidence from an injury specialist to strengthen your case before a specialist injury solicitor will even begin the process for claiming compensation.
