Understanding Product Liability Lawsuits
April 8, 2023
If you’ve been injured by a faulty product and need to file a claim, there are certain terms you should know before filing.
Legal Terminology
Knowing the legal terminology used in court will help ease the filing process and help you better understand what’s happening in court and with your case.
Defendant –
The defendant is legally responsible for the injuries they caused the plaintiff. The defendant is also responsible for paying damages owed to the plaintiff if the plaintiff wins their case.
Plaintiff –
If you file a claim and are seeking justice and monetary rewards for your injuries, you are considered the plaintiff.
Settlement –
A settlement is the amount that the defendant and plaintiff agrees on to compensate the plaintiff for the damages caused by the defendant.
Damages
Like a settlement, damages refer to the monetary rewards given to the plaintiff from the damages caused by the defendant.
Liability
Liability refers to the legal term that defines the defendant’s legal responsibility for their actions.
Tort
A tort is an act that causes harm or injury to another party. It can also be considered a civil wrong and the courts perceive it as a liability and impose it as unlawful, depending on the claim or case.
Negligence
In tort law, negligence falls on the defendant’s and is defined as a failure to provide a duty of care. A duty of care is a legal obligation that is imposed on companies. For example, companies who provide products for their customers have a legal obligation to provide a duty of care. Failure to provide that duty of care is considered negligence.
Statute Of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time a person can wait before suing or filing a claim, depending on the claim or case. For example the statute of limitations in California is one to three years, depending on the crime or case. Each state’s statute of limitations differs, so check with your state’s statute of limitations to ensure you file your claim in time.
Hiring A Product Liability Attorney
If you need help interpreting further legal terms, filing a claim, understanding how the court process works, hiring a product liability attorney near you would be beneficial. For example, if you live in California and need a product liability lawyer to help you settle your case, search “hire product liability attorney Los Angeles” to find the best attorney for you.
