When you buy a product, you expect it to work properly. However, this is sometimes not the case. In the worst-case scenario, you can suffer an injury due to a defective product and be held responsible for all of the costs of treatment.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm understands the challenges associated with product liability lawsuits in Charleston. Get in contact with your Charleston personal injury lawyer today. From here, our South Carolina product liability lawyers can help you pursue damages in a product liability lawsuit.
You May Be Able to Sue Multiple Parties in a Product Liability Lawsuit in Charleston
There are multiple parties who may be liable for a defective product. These can include:
- The company that manufactured the product
- The business that crafted any components used in the product
- The retail store that sold the product
A Charleston product liability lawyer can review your case and identify any at-fault parties. Next, the attorney can give you a recommendation on whether now is the time to sue one or more at-fault parties. If you move forward with your lawsuit, the attorney can help you file it within a reasonable time frame.
There Is a Three-Year Window to File a Product Liability Lawsuit in Charleston
The statute of limitations for requesting damages in a personal injury case in South Carolina is three years. If you do not submit a request for damages within this window, you lose the opportunity to pursue compensation down the line. Worst of all, you are solely responsible for any costs you incur relating to your injury.
A product liability attorney in Charleston can help you immediately file your lawsuit. To do so, the attorney will:
- Meet with you and learn about your case
- Determine how much you can request in economic and non-economic damages
- File the necessary paperwork for your lawsuit in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations
A product liability lawyer in Charleston will make sure your lawsuit is submitted properly. Next, the lawyer will work with you to build your case. The attorney will use the time leading up to your trial date to help you make your case as strong as possible.
Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Product Liability Lawsuit in Charleston
You can seek damages totaling thousands of dollars in a Charleston product liability lawsuit. To maximize your damages, it is important to consider the impact of your injury on your life to date. Also, you must account for the long-term impact of your injury.
Ultimately, you can request damages for a variety of reasons in a product liability lawsuit, such as:
- Any medical bills relating to your injury
- Ongoing medical expenses that you incur since you have suffered a permanent injury
- The loss of wages you suffer due to the fact that your injury forces you to miss work
- Any property damage you incur
- Pain and suffering
The best product liability lawyer has helped their clients get significant settlements. As you search for a product liability attorney, consider the lawyer’s track record. If the attorney has a history of success in the courtroom, you can hire this legal professional to position yourself for a successful trial.
What to Expect When You Prepare for a Product Liability Trial in Charleston
Your attorney will encourage you to come forward with any questions you have about product liability trials. When you share these questions, your lawyer will not shy away from answering them. Rather, your lawyer will be upfront and honest about all aspects of the trial process.
When your product liability case goes to trial, you should expect:
- A judge or jury to hear arguments from both sides.
- Your attorney to present evidence to support your request for damages.
- The defendant’s attorney to try to dispute any claims you make.
A product liability trial may last several hours or days. Over the course of your trial, your lawyer will work diligently to compel the judge or jury to rule in your favor. If your attorney succeeds, you may receive fair compensation from any at-fault parties.
How a Judge or Jury Evaluates a Charleston Product Liability Case
A judge or jury is required to treat all parties in a product liability case fairly. Thus, each party gets an opportunity to share their side of the story behind the case. A judge or jury reviews the evidence and listens to witness testimony from all involved before a decision is made.
As a judge or jury determines how to rule in a product liability case, it may consider:
- The strength of the evidence provided by both parties
- The credibility of witnesses who testify on each party’s behalf
- If the defendant did everything in their power to prevent a defective product from reaching a consumer and causing an injury
A judge or jury may decide to award you full or partial damages. In either scenario, you will receive some level of compensation. Conversely, a judge or jury may rule in the defendant’s favor, and you may receive no damages.
How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Charleston Product Liability Case
If you are interested in filing a product liability lawsuit, you first need to hire a lawyer. By doing so, you can work with an attorney who will serve as your legal representation throughout your case. Your lawyer will do the legwork necessary to help you achieve the optimal case result.
As you begin your search for a product liability lawyer, you should:
- Look at an attorney’s experience in product liability cases
- Discuss any legal concerns you have with an attorney
- Find a lawyer who instills confidence
It can be beneficial to ask a product liability lawyer for client testimonials as well. These testimonials can give you a glimpse into what it is like to work with a lawyer. By reading client testimonials, you can get a better idea about whether a product liability lawyer can meet your expectations.
Get Started with a Product Liability Lawyer
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you seek damages in a product liability lawsuit. Our product liability lawyer is available to review your case. To learn more or request a free consultation, please contact us today.
