Ryan Zavodnick | October 5, 2025 | Product Defect

In this modern age, it is nearly impossible to live without using, or at least encountering, consumer products. Almost every household is filled with products purchased for convenience, quality of life, or personal health. Additionally, many people use items that they would not consider products, such as medical devices, car parts, and corrective eyewear, that may still fall under this category. Surrounded by consumer products as most Americans are, it can be frightening to think of what may happen if these products are faulty. Defective products can cause severe injury or property damage.
A product liability lawyer can help navigate the legal actions required when a product failure leads to medical or property damages. Product liability claims can be challenging and complex, often involving negotiations with legal professionals employed by large companies. Additionally, there are many steps of the manufacturing process that could have led to the defect in the product, which may require extensive amounts of research. These challenges can be overwhelming for an injured individual, but a product liability lawyer can take these legal responsibilities off their client’s shoulders so they can focus on recovering.
Speak to a skilled Delaware product liability attorney from Zavodnick & Lasky today by calling the office at (215) 774-6467. Call today to schedule a personalized consultation with an attorney.
What is Product Liability?
Product liability is a field of law that holds manufacturers accountable for warning customers of risk and maintaining effective safety standards in the design and manufacturing process. If a manufacturer is negligent in the process of creating their product, the defective product could cause injury, property damage, or even wrongful death. A product liability claim can help injured victims recover the damages caused by a defective product.
A product can be defective due to design flaws, manufacturing errors, or insufficient warning labels. During the design process, designers are expected to take safety concerns into account and ensure the theoretical idea of the product works safely. Design flaws can lead to product failure and injury in many cases, often on a large scale. Manufacturing errors occur after the design process, when the machinery and workers are assembling the product. If faulty machinery or cheap materials are used, these could cause product failures later on. Lastly, failure to inform consumers of the proper usage of the product and potential risks could be seen as negligent.
Legal Framework for Product Liability
While many products fail, this does not always mean the consumer is entitled to compensation automatically. A product liability lawyer can file a claim for compensation based on certain legal grounds that make for a successful case, according to the Legal Information Institute. While most states have a policy of strict liability for defective products, Delaware does not. This means that a product liability claim must be built around either negligence or breach of warranty.
Negligence is an active neglect of a duty of care to the consumer, which, if it directly causes damages to the consumer, may validate a compensation claim. Breach of warranty may also influence a product liability case. A warranty, while often used to describe an extended protection plan, is legally defined as a direct or implied guarantee made by the product. If a product fails in a task, it is guaranteed to function in and cause damage, which may be grounds for a liability claim.
A seasoned product liability attorney from Zavodnick & Lasky may be able to assist with a product liability claim.
Benefits of a Product Liability Lawyer
While a product liability lawyer is not required to file a compensation claim, the legal assistance of an attorney can prove invaluable. Delaware attorneys are trained and equipped to understand the law of their state and advocate for the legal rights of their clients. Additionally, a Delaware product liability lawyer may have certain unique skills that can aid in a product liability case.
Legal Experience
Each state has its own complex and sometimes confusing set of state laws. The nuance of these laws can greatly influence a case and even mean the difference between winning and losing a case. The legal experience of a Delaware product liability lawyer can help them accurately address state laws and court practices, giving their client the best chance at success. Additionally, they can save time and effort for their client by handling the legal research and other challenges.
Research and Case-Building
Legal cases, particularly product liability cases, involve large amounts of research, both legal and practical. The amount of effort and work required to construct a compelling case can be daunting. Fortunately, product liability lawyers have experience building cases and handling the research required. An attorney may be able to research the policies of a company or manufacturing plant, collect information from eyewitnesses, and connect these points of data to create a compelling argument. Having a product liability lawyer help build a case for you can help alleviate stress and anxiety, allowing space to recover and rest without the responsibility of building a case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are several frequently asked questions for product liability lawyers.
How Long Do I Have to File a Product Liability Claim?
The statute of limitations for product liability cases in Delaware is two years, according to 10 Del. C. § 8107. This means that a case cannot be brought to court by the injured party if it has been more than two years from the accrual of the injuries from the defective product. For victims of defective product injuries, filing before this deadline is imperative.
Can a Retailer Be Held Liable for Defective Products?
Yes, a retailer can be held accountable for a defective product if their negligence caused the injury in question. For example, if a retail outlet removed important safety labels from the product or mishandled the item, they may be liable for injuries resulting from these actions. However, this may involve research and legal knowledge to build this case.
What Are Common Defective Products?
Many products that are used daily can fail, leading to injury and property damage. These can include cribs, home appliances, car parts, medical devices, medicines, food products, food containers, childcare products, home improvement tools, vehicles, personal car items, and more.
Speak to a Delaware Product Liability Lawyer Today
Product liability cases can be complex and challenging, particularly when the victim is dealing with injuries or property damage from a defective product. However, constructing a case does not have to be a challenge! A skilled Delaware product liability lawyer from Zavodnick & Lasky can help by evaluating a case, providing legal advice, and assisting in filing a claim. Compensation is often very important to those who have been injured by defective products, and a product liability attorney can help advocate for their clients’ rights. Call the office today at (215) 774-6467 to schedule a personalized consultation.