A Product Liability Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation
When you use a product as intended but you are injured due to a defect in the product, an Atlanta product liability lawyer can help you get compensation for your losses, such as medical bills, lost income from work, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Manufacturers are supposed to ensure that their products are safe when used correctly, and if the product has some inherent danger, clear warnings should be provided. If they fail to do so, and you or a loved one has suffered injury or someone died as a result, the manufacturer, designer, distributor, or salesperson of the product can be held liable.
When you are harmed due to a faulty product, you can find yourself up against corporations and insurance companies with deep pockets. They use tactics such as offering lowball amounts or delaying legal proceedings over and over to get you to give up.
The Stoddard Firm isn’t afraid of these deep-pocketed competitors, and we look forward to taking them on for you. Lead Attorney Matt Stoddard graduated with honors from the University of Georgia law school and studied at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Mr. Stoddard got his start defending corporations but found a career representing people who have been harmed to be much more rewarding.
He understands how corporations and insurance companies work when fighting defective product claims, and he isn’t afraid to take them on. He has won several significant awards for his clients, including an almost $16 million verdict for a man hurt by defective fireworks. His trials have been featured on the Courtroom Viewing Network, and he is in high demand as an interview subject for print, internet, and television news networks.
If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a defective product, contact The Stoddard Firm immediately for a free consultation at 470-467-2200.
Consumers Have a Right to Certain Expectations When Using a Product
These expectations are violated when manufacturers employ dangerous designs, fail to test for product weaknesses or defects, construct products with unsafe materials, or market products without effective warnings. If a defective or malfunctioning product seriously injures you or tragically kills a loved one, The Stoddard Firm can help.
We have handled product liability claims and achieved significant results for our clients. It is our experience that the most successful claims are ones filed promptly after an injury occurs. We encourage you to reach out to The Stoddard Firm as soon as you can, so we can discuss the details of your case.
How Defective Products Reach Consumers
Companies are constantly unveiling new products onto the market. While there are certain standards these products are supposed to meet, there is simply not enough oversight to inspect every product. There are not enough inspectors to determine whether every item is safe for consumers. Safety advocates also point out that our current laws give far too much leeway to manufacturers in policing themselves.
We see evidence of these institutional shortcomings constantly in the news. From dangerous Takata airbags to exploding lithium-ion batteries to defective medical devices, consumers are regularly learning of new dangers that are dormant in the products they purchase. Many of these products are scrutinized and recalled only after damage has been done and consumers have suffered harm because of a defect.
Combatting the Interests of Manufacturers
To make matters worse for consumers, the companies that make and sell defective products are often large corporations with public relations teams that limit their fallout and, more importantly, large legal teams that take every step possible to smother litigation against the company. For a consumer who uses the legal system to file a product liability claim against these powerful companies, this situation can be an uphill battle.
These cases can be intimidating, but they are not a lost cause. A skilled, experienced, well-funded product liability attorney has the resources to stand up for their client and get results. At The Stoddard Firm, we know how important these cases are for our clients, and we can fight for their rights to make sure they get the compensation and results they deserve.
Important Considerations in a Product Liability Case
The process of a product liability case involves several steps, so you should act quickly to start this process. According to Georgia code title 9/chapter 3/3/9-3-33, there is a statute of limitations deadline that is generally two years for filing a personal injury case, and there is a four-year deadline for filing property damage cases. If you do not file within these time limits, the courts are likely to refuse to hear your case. Call our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible to prevent this from happening.
To act effectively, our Atlanta product liability lawyers will need time to investigate what happened, gather evidence, interview witnesses, find all liable parties, negotiate with insurance companies, and build your case and take it to court if necessary to fight for the settlement you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured or someone has died from a defective product, call our product liability lawyers at The Stoddard Firm as soon as you are aware of the problem.
Contact a skilled product liability lawyer today: 470-467-2200.
Today’s Products Aren’t Necessarily Designed for Longevity
Manufacturers know that if they design a product that lasts a lifetime, there will be no need for a consumer to purchase that same product again. This was one of the “innovative” ideas that General Motors had in the 1920s, which is now referred to as planned obsolescence.
The idea was that once cars became obsolete – either because of advances in technology or because products weren’t made to last as long as they could – there would be more incentive for customers to keep returning and buying vehicles.
Essentially, it is often in a manufacturer’s best interests to make products that will eventually need to be repaired or replaced.
However, it’s not necessarily intentional planning, but rather negligence, which contributes to defective product-related injuries. Companies of all kinds make products that can pose a threat to consumers, and they are often held accountable only after that product has caused harm to many consumers.
Are You Interested in Filing a Product Liability Claim?
When a product causes you serious injury, there are a couple of things to remember:
First, it is best to seek immediate treatment for your injuries and keep records of any costs or treatments you experience following an incident with a defective product.
Second, if possible, keep the faulty item in your possession and contact a product liability attorney as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, many product liability claims are lost before a lawyer is even contacted because someone destroys or throws away the product at issue. If you suspect a defective product caused your injury, it is imperative that you do everything in your power to ensure that the product involved is preserved and not altered until a lawyer has an opportunity to investigate.
Don’t let your life or the life of a loved one be changed forever because of negligence. If you believe a defective product contributed to a serious injury or death of a loved one, please give us a call at 470-467-2200 or contact us online for a free consultation so we can answer your questions and discuss what is necessary to achieve a favorable result.
Product Liability Cases We Handle
While we are happy to speak with you about any potential product liability case, our firm focuses on cases involving:
Electrical Hand Tools — such as voltmeters / multimeters, saws, and drills
Kitchen Appliances — such as ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers
Household Products — such as space heaters and propane tanks
Industrial Machines used in factories
Children’s Toys.
Even if your case isn’t listed above, you can still reach out to our firm to learn more.
We offer free consultations so that you can gain a clearer understanding of how these cases work and what we might be able to do to assist you and your loved ones.
What the Stoddard Firm Can Do for You
Our Product Liability Lawyer Knows How to Help You
When a defective product has harmed you or a loved one, you have a lot to deal with. You face medical bills, potentially lost wages, and the emotional harm that comes with your injuries.
If a company’s negligence caused you harm, you should not face them alone. They have seemingly endless resources and aren’t afraid to use them to pressure you into taking less than you deserve.
At the Stoddard Law Firm, we care about the outcome of each case, and we treat every client as an individual. We will never ask you to accept a low offer or drop your case to move on to another one. We care about what happened to you and are ready to meet your expectations regardless of your needs. We will answer any questions you have at each part of the process and ensure that you understand each aspect of what a trying and lengthy negotiation or trial process can be. We hold ourselves to a very high standard and expect you to hold us to those same standards. Our Atlanta product liability attorney, Mr. Matt Stoddard, and his team are ready to fight for you. They are ready and willing to travel around the state if necessary to investigate your case and get the compensation you need to regain your quality of life.
Georgia product liability laws are complicated, but the experienced Atlanta defective product lawyers at The Stoddard Firm can take the burden off you and handle all the legal hurdles involved in getting justice and the compensation you deserve from insurance or through a product liability lawsuit.
To win your case, our product liability lawyers must prove that the product was defective and that this led to your injuries. This means showing that…
The product was defective at the time the injury occurred.
The product was in the same condition as it was when it left the defendant’s control.
You used the product as intended or in a way that was reasonably foreseeable to the defendant.
The defect caused you harm.
In Georgia, you can bring a product liability case for:
Defective design – where there is something in the design of the product that is unreasonably dangerous
Defective manufacturing – where the product was designed to be safe, but something went wrong during the manufacturing process
Duty to warn – where there was failure to warn of foreseeable dangers arising from the normal use of its product.
Talk to our defective products lawyer for help today. Our team takes on large companies to get you justice. Call us today at 470-467-2200.
“He would stay in contact with us constantly. For any information he needed, he would call us or send emails. He would just stay there like he was a part of our family. We are really grateful to have him represent us. Other people who come see him should know they are with a great man.” – Client for Matthew Stoddard
Product Liability Frequently Asked Questions
It is not unusual to have questions about whether you should take on a company, a big corporation, or an insurance company and about how the process will play out. These are some of the questions that people who have been harmed ask our product liability attorneys.
Can I Still Seek Compensation if I Bought a Product at a Deep Discount?
Selling their products at a discount does not relieve companies of their safety responsibilities. You could seek relief if you used the product correctly, and it is due to the company’s negligence.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Product Liability Case?
You generally have two years to file for a personal injury due to a defective product in Atlanta. You should contact our team immediately so we can start investigating your claim, negotiate, and take it to trial on time if necessary.
Should I Get Rid of the Defective Product for Safety Reasons?
Your first instinct after being harmed by a defective product will be to protect yourself and your family by throwing it away. This can hurt your case, so keep the product in a safe area where no one can use it and contact our attorneys immediately.
Will My Product Liability Case Go to Court?
We will negotiate with the company and their insurance company to get you fair compensation for the injuries you sustained due to a faulty product. If they are unwilling to offer a fair settlement, we will stay by your side through a court case and fight tenaciously on your behalf.
How Do I Know if a Defective Product Caused My Injuries?
It can be challenging to determine if a product you used was defective. If you suffered harm, you should contact our attorneys immediately so that we can start an investigation that might include finding other cases related to that product and talking to experts who can give you a determination.
Is a Lack of Warnings About How to Safely Use a Product Enough To Bring A Claim?
Manufacturers have a duty to warn you about potential dangers associated with their products. These warnings have to be straightforward and easy to find, so you may have a case if you were unaware of potential hazards.
What if the Product That Harmed Me Belonged to Someone Else or Was a Gift?
You can still bring a claim for personal damages or wrongful death if you were harmed by a product you did not buy yourself. The manufacturer is liable to people who use their products, not just those who purchase them.
Product liability cases can be very complex, and you may have additional questions as your case progresses. You do not have to deal with the physical and monetary harm caused by a defective product on your own. Our product liability attorneys pride themselves on being your partners against big corporations and easing your mind by addressing any questions you might have.
If you have questions about a potential product liability claim, call The Stoddard Firm today for a free consultation at 678-737-8587 or contact us online.
Client Testimonial
”Matt Stoddard, Janelle Zabresky and Staff always looked out for me in my best interest. Always made sure that services given by the doctor’s that I was receiving services from were made to my liking and if I had an issue I could always bring it to their attention ~ I Thank Matt Stoddard, Associate’s and Staff for such great and professional services. I can guarantee that Matt Stoddard and Associate’s will always do their very best to accommodate and accomplish in their client’s best interest! Thanks again and I (Reneé Ross) really appreciated all that you did for me! 😊👏🏾” – Renee’ Ross (Google Review)
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
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Call Our Product Liability Lawyers for Help
Matt Stoddard, the founder of the Stoddard Firm, worked for years defending the world’s largest appliance manufacturers in serious injury and wrongful death product liability cases. As a result, he knows how companies and their insurers operate and how to deal with them to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Our firm will take the time to carefully examine the details of your case, uncover the truth behind what happened, and ensure that you are justly compensated for your losses.