Design Defect Attorney

Nationwide Representation for Victims of Design Defects | Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation

Consumers trust that the products they use are safe when they are manufactured and sold. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Defects in product designs can lead to severe injuries, property damage, or even fatalities. When a product is inherently flawed due to its design, it becomes unreasonably dangerous for its intended use. These cases are not just about holding companies accountable; they are about ensuring consumer safety by demanding changes in the way products are designed and tested.

At Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, we know design defect cases and represent clients nationwide from our Los Angeles headquarters. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous product, our team of experienced design defect lawyers is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (866) 884-1717 to speak with experienced design defect lawyers and seek the compensation you deserve for your injury!

What Are Design Defects?

Design defects occur when the actual design of a product is flawed, making it inherently unsafe, even when it is manufactured or assembled correctly. Unlike manufacturing defects, which result from errors during the production process, design defects are part of the blueprint itself. These flaws often create hazards that put consumers in danger before they even use the product.

To demonstrate a design defect, a product liability lawyer must prove that the product was unreasonably dangerous and that designing the product differently could have mitigated or eliminated the risks without compromising its functionality or significantly increasing production costs.

Products with design defects are particularly concerning because the defect affects every unit manufactured according to that design. This means that countless consumers could be unknowingly put at risk.

Examples of Design Defects

Design defects can arise in a wide range of consumer goods, from everyday household items to complex automotive systems. Below are some examples of common design defect cases:

• Top-Heavy Furniture: Furniture, such as improperly designed dressers, can tip over easily and cause injury. For instance, in one highly publicized case, a major retailer recalled millions of dressers after reports of fatalities caused by the furniture falling on young children.
• Defective Auto Designs: Vehicles with high centers of gravity are prone to rollovers, creating significant safety concerns. Faulty seat belts, airbags, and braking systems are other examples of design defects in vehicles that can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
• Choking Hazards in Children’s Products: Children’s toys or cribs with small detachable parts or unsafe spacing between bars can pose choking hazards or trap a child’s head or limbs. Manufacturers must design products with child safety in mind to avoid such tragic incidents.
• Electronics That Overheat: Poorly engineered electronics that are prone to overheating, such as cell phones or charging devices, can pose fire hazards or cause burns.
• Unsafe Tools or Equipment: Power tools and machinery designed without proper safeguards for hands or other body parts increase the likelihood of accidents.
• Medical Devices: Poorly conceived designs of medical devices can result in improper functioning, leading to significant health complications or even death.

These design flaws often have devastating consequences for consumers and their families, underscoring the critical need for safe product designs.

How to Prove a Design Defect Claim

Pursuing a design defect claim requires a thorough understanding of product liability law and the ability to prove specific elements. Here’s what you will need to establish in a design defect case:

1. The Product Was Defective by Design: Show that the product’s design posed an unreasonable risk to users under normal or intended use.
2. Feasible Alternatives Existed: Demonstrate that a safer, practical alternative design was available and could have been implemented without significantly increasing the product’s cost or diminishing its functions.
3. The Defective Design Was the Cause of Injuries: Link the design defect directly to the harm suffered. For example, if a product is unstable and tips over, causing injury, the instability must be proven as the root cause.
4. The Product Was Used Appropriately: Prove that the victim was using the product as intended, or in a manner that could be reasonably expected.
5. Documented Losses: Provide evidence of damages, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, or property damage caused by the defective product.

Gathering compelling evidence is critical in establishing these factors. Expert witnesses, such as engineers or product designers, often play a key role in demonstrating how a safer design could have prevented the injury. At Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, our attorneys collaborate with top experts to strengthen your case and achieve the best possible outcome.

Design Defects vs. Manufacturing Defects

It is important to understand the distinction between design defects and manufacturing defects when filing a product liability claim.

• Design Defects: These are flaws in the product’s blueprint or original concept. For example, a poorly designed piece of furniture prone to tipping or an inherently unsafe vehicle because of its structure are both considered design defects.
• Manufacturing Defects: Unlike design defects, these occur when a product is not made according to its intended design. Examples include contaminated medication, improperly installed brakes on a car, or a broken component in a finished product.

Both types of defects can result in serious injuries or fatalities, and both may form the basis of a product liability claim. However, proving a design defect often requires a greater focus on engineering principles, usability studies, and the role of safer design alternatives.

How Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation Can Help

At Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, we are passionate about protecting consumers from harmful products. With extensive experience in design defect litigation, we have the resources and knowledge to take on large corporations and hold them accountable for dangerous designs.

Why Clients Choose Us

• Decades of Experience: Our firm has a proven track record of success in handling complex product liability cases, including those involving defective designs.
• Nationwide Reach: Based in Los Angeles, we represent clients throughout the United States, providing thorough, client-focused representation for victims nationwide.
• Collaborative Expertise: We work closely with leading experts in product design, usability testing, and engineering to uncover the truth and build compelling arguments.
• Comprehensive Legal Support: From gathering evidence and consulting experts to negotiating settlements and litigating in court, we are with you every step of the way.

When you partner with Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, our team immediately begins investigating your case, gathering evidence, and consulting experts to understand the design flaw in question. We will:

• Evaluate your claim during a free initial consultation
• Collect documentation, including product records and accident reports
• Identify responsible parties, including manufacturers, designers, and sellers
• Work diligently to secure maximum compensation for your injuries and losses

Contact Our Design Defect Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by a poorly designed product, you deserve justice and fair compensation. Holding manufacturers accountable not only helps you recover damages but also promotes safer practices within the industry. At Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, we are committed to advocating for victims of defective designs and ensuring their voices are heard.

Call us at (866) 884-1717 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Take the first step toward holding negligent companies accountable for their unsafe products.