Injured from Product Liability at Work

When a Malfunction Hurts You On the Job, What Are Your Rights?

If you were injured at work by a defective machine, tool, or product, workers’ comp may not be your only option. Depending on the situation, you may also have a product liability claim. Product liability at work happens just like it does anywhere else. But the laws around it can get complicated.

You have rights—not just as an employee, but as a consumer. And when you’re hurt because a product was defective, you deserve to be fully compensated.

Here’s what to do if you were injured by faulty equipment that never should have made it onto a job site in the first place.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability means a product’s manufacturer can be held legally responsible if their product is unsafe and causes an injury. It’s basically any personal injury claim where a product didn’t work the way it was supposed to and hurts someone as a result.

This applies at home and at work.

So if a power saw malfunctions, a scaffold collapses, or protective gear fails on the job—and it’s because of a defect in the product—you may be able to hold the company behind it accountable.

Common Defective Products in the Workplace

Some of the most common items involved in workplace product liability cases include:

• Power tools and machinery with faulty parts or missing safety features
• Protective gear that doesn’t meet safety standards (like masks, helmets, gloves, etc.)
• Ladders or scaffolding that collapse or tip from poor design
• Electrical equipment that shocks or starts fires
• Vehicles or forklifts with defective brakes, steering, or other systems

Even if your employer provided the equipment, the manufacturer can still be liable if the product was unreasonably dangerous or failed during normal use.

How Product Liability Differs from Workers’ Comp

Workers’ compensation usually covers medical bills and part of your lost wages. It doesn’t require you to prove anyone was at fault because it covers any employees that were injured on the job. But it also doesn’t cover pain and suffering or many other expenses that might come up.

A product liability lawsuit, on the other hand, can provide a broader range of compensation, including:

• Full medical costs
• Lost income and future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages (in some cases)

The key is that you don’t have to choose one or the other. In many cases, you can receive workers’ comp and sue the product manufacturer separately.

What to Do If You’re Injured by a Defective Product at Work

If you’re injured by product liability at work, there are a few important steps you should always take:

• Report the injury to your employer right away.
• Seek medical attention and follow your treatment plan.
• Preserve the product, if possible. Don’t throw it away—your lawyer will want to inspect it.
• Take photos and notes of what happened and any visible injuries.
• Contact a product liability attorney who understands both workplace law and product defects.

Taking these basic steps will help preserve your case and give you options as you move forward.

A Lawyer for Workers’ Compensation and Product Liability

As someone who’s fought for injured workers for years, I know how overwhelming this process can be. But you don’t have to go through it alone—and you don’t have to settle for less than what you’re owed.

Instead, work with an attorney who has extensive experience in worker’s comp and personal injury law.

For decades, I’ve handled both kinds of cases, and won. So I have experience with all types of on-the-job injuries. When you come in to see me for a free consultation, we’ll talk about the details around what happened and I can let you know your best options.

What’s more, whether for workers comp or product liability, I don’t get paid anything unless and until I win your case. So there’s nothing to lose in talking with someone about your next steps.

If you’re injured by product liability at work, let’s talk. I’ll help you understand your rights, your options, and how to hold the right party accountable.

Just contact me today online or call our firm at 901-327-2100. We look forward to talking with you.