When you purchase a product, you expect it to work as advertised and keep you safe. You trust that manufacturers have tested their products thoroughly, that designers have considered the risks, and that companies have provided adequate warnings about dangers. When that trust is broken and a defective product causes you serious injury, your world can change forever.
Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe represents those injured by defective products throughout Kansas City. Our product liability lawyers in Kansas City know how to take on powerful corporations that try to avoid responsibility for the harm their products cause. Don’t let a company’s negligence define your future—contact us today to learn how we can help you fight back.
Why Choose Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe to Fight for You?
We’re Backed by Years of Experience and a Track Record of Success
The team of Kansas City personal injury attorneys at our firm bring together more than 100 years of combined experience in personal injury and product liability law, and we’ve successfully recovered over $1 billion for our clients. This extensive experience means we know how to investigate manufacturing processes, identify design flaws, and build compelling cases that demonstrate exactly how a defective product caused your injuries.
We’re Not Afraid to Take on Corporate Defendants
Large corporations often have teams of lawyers and vast resources to defend against claims, but that doesn’t intimidate our Kansas City product liability attorneys. We’ve built our reputation by taking on major manufacturers and holding them accountable when their products harm innocent consumers.
If We Don’t Win Your Case, You Don’t Pay Legal Fees
Dealing with injuries from a defective product often means facing major financial stress. Medical bills pile up, you may be unable to work, and the last thing you need is the worry of paying attorney fees upfront. That’s why we handle product liability cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us unless we win your case.
Understanding the Three Categories of Product Defects
Defects can occur at different stages of a product’s development and manufacturing. Generally, product liability lawsuits involve one or more of three types of defects: manufacturing, design, and failure to warn.
Manufacturing Defects
These occur when a product is designed safely but something goes wrong during the manufacturing process, causing individual products or batches to become dangerous. An example would be a batch of medication that becomes contaminated during production or a car where a bolt was not properly tightened on the assembly line.
Design Defects
These exist when a product’s design itself is inherently dangerous, making all products manufactured according to that design potentially harmful. A classic example is a car model with a high center of gravity that makes it prone to rollovers, or a power tool designed without adequate safety guards.
Failure to Warn
This occurs when manufacturers fail to provide adequate warnings or instructions about known dangers associated with their products. Even if a product is properly designed and manufactured, companies have a duty to warn consumers about potential risks and provide clear instructions for safe use.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Kansas City Product Liability Cases?
Product liability cases can involve multiple parties throughout the supply chain, and determining who bears responsibility for your injuries requires thorough investigation. Manufacturers who design and produce defective products are often the primary defendants, but liability can extend to:
- Distributors who sell products they know are dangerous
- Retailers who fail to warn customers about known hazards
- Component manufacturers whose defective parts contribute to a product’s failure
At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, our attorneys know how to identify all potentially liable parties and build a comprehensive case that maximizes your chances of recovery. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the entire supply chain to make sure that no responsible party escapes accountability for your injuries. Our firm will pursue claims against every liable defendant to maximize the compensation available for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Steps to Take If You’re Injured by a Defective Product
Taking the right actions immediately after a product-related injury can significantly strengthen your potential claim. If you were hurt by a defective product in Kansas City, make sure to take the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries, even if they seem minor at first.
- Preserve the defective product and all packaging, instructions, and receipts.
- Document the scene where your injury occurred with photographs if possible.
- Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, expenses, and lost wages.
- Avoid making any statements to insurance adjusters or corporate representatives without legal counsel.
- Contact a Kansas City product liability attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Common Types of Defective Products That Cause Injuries
Product liability claims arise when defective or dangerous products cause injuries to consumers who were using them as intended. These cases can involve virtually any type of product, from everyday household items to complex machinery.
At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, we often see injuries that were caused by:
- Automotive parts and components, including defective airbags, brakes, and tires
- Medical devices such as implants, surgical equipment, and diagnostic tools
- Pharmaceutical products and prescription medications with dangerous side effects
- Children’s toys and products that pose choking, strangulation, or toxic hazards
- Household appliances that malfunction and cause fires, explosions, or electrocution
- Power tools and machinery with inadequate safety features
- Cosmetics and personal care products containing toxic ingredients
If you have been injured by one of these products or any other item not listed here, you may have grounds for a product liability claim. We encourage you to reach out for a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn more about your rights.
Get the Legal Help You Need for Your Defective Product Claim in Kansas City, Missouri
If you were hurt by a defective product in Kansas City, trust Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe to fight for you. Our attorneys have successfully taken on major corporations whose products harmed innocent consumers—we won’t let big companies escape accountability for the harm their products caused. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 today and begin your journey to justice and fair compensation.