Product liability cases are a large facet of personal injury law. These cases can be huge and can win the plaintiff large sums of money should the court rule in their favor. The United States has seen thousands of product liability court cases, with huge companies like General Motors and Johnson & Johnson shelling out millions (if not billions) in reparations.
These cases keep corporations in check and protect consumer rights while ensuring the safety and reliability of products on the consumer market. Are you looking for a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia? Look no further than Kozloff Stoudt. Our trusted team of practiced attorneys will take your case to court and fight your case to the end.
So what are some examples of product liability cases in the United States? Here are three of the most notable cases that have hit the books in years past.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
In 2013, a young man from Pennsylvania and his mother filed a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. due to a side effect the boy experienced when taking Risperdal, an antipsychotic medication for his ADHD. The side effect the young boy experienced was the growth of female breasts, something that was not explicitly divulged to consumers nor the FDA by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. On July 1, 2016, the jury awarded the boy and his mother $70 million in damages for emotional distress and body disfigurement.
One of the most significant product liability lawsuits to ever occur was with General Motors. The suit, which occurred in March 2008, claimed to have found a chemical in the Dex-Cool coolant that was damaging vehicle engines and causing leaks. This suit was carried out on behalf of more than 35 million customers, with a payout of $20 billion.
In this famous 1994 case, Liebeck vs. McDonald’s, a woman spilled coffee she had purchased from McDonald’s in her lap. She suffered third-degree burns in this area, and her lawyers found that it was because McDonald’s served their coffee anywhere between 180 and 190 degrees, while most other companies would serve their coffee at around 140 degrees. The jury awarded Liebeck with $2.7 million in punitive damages and an additional $160,000 for medical expenses.
Philadelphia’s Best Personal Injury Lawyers
Product liability, vehicle accidents, falls, and more — when you’re looking for personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, we have your back. For more than 70 years, our lawyers have represented thousands of individuals in all facets of civil law, and we want yours to be one of them. We’ll work hard for you to get the award you deserve.
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