Injured by a Defective Product? Your Legal Rights Explained
Getting hurt by something you trusted—a household appliance, a child’s toy, a medical device, or a vehicle part—can feel deeply unfair. One moment, life feels routine. Next, you’re dealing with pain, medical bills, missed work, and a lot of unanswered questions.
At the Law Office of Steven R. Smith, we understand how unexpected and unfortunate the repercussions can be after a defective product incident. You shouldn’t have to carry that burden alone. Help is available, and there are legal options designed to hold manufacturers and sellers accountable. Reach out to us to talk about what you’re facing and how we can help.
With an office in Garden City, New York, we help people across Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Hempstead, Westbury, Hicksville, Mineola, and anywhere in New York pursue justice after injuries caused by unsafe products.
What Counts as a Defective Product Under New York Law
A defective product isn’t limited to items that fall apart right out of the box. Under New York law, a product may be considered defective when it’s unreasonably dangerous for its intended use. That danger can appear in different ways, and you don’t need to prove that the company meant to hurt anyone. In general, product defects fall into three broad categories:
Design defects: The product is unsafe from the outset due to its design or engineering. Every version of the product carries the same risk.
Manufacturing defects: An issue occurred during production that makes your specific item unsafe, even though others are fine.
Failure to warn or instruct: The product lacked adequate warnings or instructions, leaving users unaware of serious risks.
A defective product can show up in everyday places—your kitchen, your car, your workplace, or even your child’s bedroom. When that defect leads to injuries like burns, broken bones, head trauma, internal damage, or long-term health problems, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
Your Legal Rights After Being Hurt by a Defective Product
If a defective product caused your injuries, New York law gives you several potential paths to pursue compensation. These claims don’t focus on a single company. Responsibility may extend to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, or retailers—any party in the supply chain. You may be able to recover damages for:
Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and future treatment needs.
Lost income: Wages you’ve already missed and income you may lose if your injuries affect your ability to work.
Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways your life has changed since the injury.
Out-of-pocket costs: Transportation to appointments, medical equipment, or home modifications.
In many cases, these claims are brought under the legal doctrine of strict liability. That means you don’t always have to show negligence—only that the product was defective and that defect caused your harm. It is important to note that New York has filing deadlines, and waiting too long can affect your ability to move forward. That’s why speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer early on can make a real difference.
Common Steps We Take to Support Your Product Injury Claim
Every defective product case is different, but we typically follow several key steps to build a strong claim. We handle the legal side so you can focus on healing. Our legal team will gather facts, tell your story clearly, and pursue fair compensation. Key actions during a product liability case include:
Investigating the product: We examine how the product was designed, manufactured, and marketed, often working with professionals who can assess what went wrong.
Preserving evidence: Keeping the product itself, packaging, receipts, and photos of your injuries can be critical. We guide you on what to save and how to protect it.
Documenting your losses: Medical records, employment information, and personal notes about your recovery help show the full impact of the injury.
Identifying responsible parties: Multiple businesses may share liability, and we work to include everyone who played a role.
Handling insurance and legal filings: We deal directly with insurers and prepare all required court documents, so you don’t have to.
Once these steps are underway, we continue building your case through negotiation or litigation, depending on the circumstances. Throughout it all, we keep you informed and involved. You won’t be left guessing about where things stand.
What You Can Do Right Now to Protect Your Claim
The steps you take after being injured by a defective product can significantly impact your legal options. Start by seeking immediate medical care, as records establish a link between the product and your condition. Next, preserve the product, packaging, manuals, and proof of purchase. Take photos of the product, your injuries, and the accident scene.
In addition, be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters or company representatives; your early statements could be used against your claim later. Lastly, consider consulting with a product injury lawyer. We can guide your next steps and explain your options for pursuing compensation. Taking these actions protects your interests.
You Don’t Have to Face a Defective Product Injury Alone
At the Law Office of Steven R. Smith, we help clients in Garden City, Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Hempstead, Westbury, Hicksville, Mineola, and across New York hold companies accountable for unsafe products. From our Garden City, New York office, we work one-on-one with people who’ve been hurt, focusing on their needs and their future. If a defective product has affected your life, contact us today.