Product Liability Lawyer
Product Liability Attorneys in NC, SC & GA
When you purchase a product, you have the right to expect that it is safe for its intended use. Unfortunately, defective and dangerous products injure thousands of Americans every year. From defective vehicle components and medical devices to unsafe children's products and hazardous household items, product defects can cause severe injuries and death. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our product liability attorneys hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable when their defective products cause harm to consumers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Product liability cases are complex and often involve large corporations with vast legal resources. Our firm has the experience and financial resources to take on major manufacturers and fight for full compensation for our clients.
Types of Product Defects
- Design defects — Flaws in the product's design that make it inherently dangerous, even when manufactured correctly. The entire product line is affected.
- Manufacturing defects — Errors that occur during the manufacturing process, affecting specific units or batches of a product.
- Marketing defects (failure to warn) — Inadequate warnings, instructions, or labeling that fail to inform consumers of known risks.
Common Defective Products
- Defective vehicle components (tires, airbags, brakes, fuel systems)
- Medical devices (hip implants, surgical mesh, pacemakers)
- Pharmaceutical drugs with undisclosed side effects
- Children's products (toys, cribs, car seats)
- Household appliances (heaters, stoves, electrical devices)
- Power tools and industrial equipment
- Consumer electronics (batteries, chargers)
- Food products (contamination, allergen labeling)
Legal Theories in Product Liability Cases
Strict Liability
Under strict liability, a manufacturer can be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product regardless of whether they were negligent. The plaintiff must prove the product was defective, the defect existed when it left the manufacturer, and the defect caused the plaintiff's injuries.
Negligence
Under negligence theory, the plaintiff must prove the manufacturer failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacture, testing, or labeling of the product.
Breach of Warranty
Products come with implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. When a product fails to meet these warranties and causes injury, the manufacturer may be liable for breach of warranty.
State Laws
North Carolina
North Carolina applies strict liability and negligence theories in product liability cases. The state's Products Liability Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 99B) governs claims. Contributory negligence applies. The statute of limitations is 3 years from injury, with a 12-year statute of repose from the date of initial purchase.
South Carolina
South Carolina recognizes strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty in product liability cases. Comparative negligence applies. The statute of limitations is 3 years with a statute of repose that may apply.
Georgia
Georgia applies strict liability under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11 and negligence theories. Comparative negligence applies. The statute of limitations is 2 years with a 10-year statute of repose.
Compensation
Product liability victims may recover for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and punitive damages in cases of willful misconduct. Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law for a free consultation.
Related Case Results
A Columbia, South Carolina family was involved in a moderate-speed collision when another driver ran a stop sign. While the crash itself should have resulted in minor injuries, the family's vehicle's airbag system deployed with excessive force due to a manufacturing defect, causing severe facial fractures and a detached retina to the driver and a broken collarbone to the front-seat passenger. We sued the auto manufacturer and the airbag supplier, recovering $5.1 million.
A skilled carpenter suffered the amputation of three fingers and severe damage to his dominant hand when a table saw manufactured by a leading power tool company malfunctioned due to a defective blade guard. Our product liability team demonstrated that the manufacturer had received numerous complaints about the blade guard design but failed to issue a recall or redesign the component. The $4.2 million settlement covered our client's medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.