Were you hurt by a defective product in Kansas City, Missouri? When a dangerous product causes harm, the company that made or sold it should answer for it. A skilled Kansas City product liability lawyer at Cohen Law Firm can help you hold that company accountable. Call (816) 323-0955 today for a free consultation.

We have nearly a decade of experience handling complex product defects and personal injury claims. Whether your injury came from a faulty auto part, a dangerous medication, a flawed medical implant, or an unsafe household item, our team is ready to dig into your claim. Reach out today to learn more. 

Why Choose Cohen Law Firm for Help After a Product Liability Accident in Kansas City, MO?

Product liability claims are often more complicated than other personal injury cases. The companies on the other side are often large corporations with deep pockets and aggressive legal teams whose job is to wear you down and pay you as little as possible. Taking them on requires a Kansas City product liability attorney with a willingness to fight. 

Clients in Kansas City, MO, choose Cohen Law Firm because:

• Attorney Zach Cohen brings nearly a decade of dedicated experience representing injured people.
• Attorney Cohen has recovered tens of millions of dollars for the clients he has served.
• Our founding attorney has twice been named a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney Under 40 by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA).
• We deliver top-quality representation at every phase of your case.
• We work on a contingency fee basis and offer free case reviews, so there is no cost to get started.

Call today to set up a free case review with an experienced Kansas City personal injury attorney who is ready to go to work for you.

The Three Types of Product Defects 

Product liability claims in Missouri generally fall into one of three groups: design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects. 

Design Defects 

Design defects exist when a product is dangerous because of how it was designed or engineered. In other words, even when each unit is built exactly to specification, the product is still unsafe. These cases often affect a wide range of consumers.

Manufacturing Defects

These defects happen when something goes wrong during production. The design itself may be perfectly safe, but a mistake during the assembly line creates a hazard. These defects usually affect a specific run or batch rather than the entire product line.

Marketing Defects

Also called failure-to-warn claims, marketing defects arise when a company does not provide adequate warnings or instructions about a known risk with their product. Manufacturers have a duty to alert consumers to foreseeable dangers.

A Note About Warranty-Based Claims

Some product liability cases rest on a breach of warranty. An express warranty is a specific promise the seller makes about a product, while an implied warranty is an unstated guarantee that the product is fit for ordinary use. 

When a product fails to live up to either type of warranty and causes injury, the injured consumer may have grounds to recover compensation. An attorney can determine whether a warranty claim strengthens your case.

How Do You Prove Liability in a Missouri Product Liability Case?

Missouri lets injured consumers pursue product claims under several legal theories, including strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty. 

Under strict liability, you usually do not have to prove the company was careless in providing a defective product. Instead, you only need to show that:

• The product was in a defective and unreasonably dangerous condition
• You were using it in a way the maker could reasonably expect
• The defect directly caused your injury 

An attorney can review the facts of your case and determine which theory gives you the best chance of a full recovery.

What Is My Kansas City Product Liability Case Worth?

There is no default answer to what a product liability claim is worth. Every case is based on its own facts, and the compensation available depends heavily on how badly you were hurt and how the injury will affect the rest of your life. While many people want a specific number, every claim is unique. Its value depends on the facts of your case rather than the outcome of someone else’s claim. 

Some of the factors that shape the value of a claim include:

• The type and seriousness of your injuries
• Whether you were left with a permanent disability or impairment
• The total of your medical bills to date
• The cost of future treatment and rehabilitation
• Income you lost and your ability to earn going forward
• The pain and emotional strain you have endured
• How the injury has changed your daily routine and personal relationships
• Whether you were using the product as intended

You should fully understand both your current and future losses before you sign off on any settlement. An experienced attorney can help you put an accurate number on what your case is worth.

What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Product Liability Accident Victims in Missouri?

Missouri law allows injured consumers to recover both economic and non-economic damages for the harm they experienced. 

Together, these cover the financial and personal toll the injury has taken. Examples include: 

• Medical bills
• The cost of future medical care
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

When a defective product causes a death, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. These claims can provide compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the loss of a loved one’s companionship, among other losses. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Product Liability Lawyer?

Most product liability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay upfront attorney fees, hourly rates, or retainers to start your case. Instead, the lawyer’s fee is paid from the compensation they recover for you, either through a settlement or court award.

The percentage should be explained and agreed to before the case begins. If your lawyer does not recover compensation for you, you generally do not owe attorney fees.

Cohen Law Firm offers contingency fees to all personal injury clients. This arrangement allows injured people to bring claims against manufacturers, distributors, and other powerful companies without adding more financial stress after a serious injury.

Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Product Liability Accident in Missouri?

Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. Under this rule, being partly responsible for your injury does not bar your claim, but it can lower your recovery. 

For example, suppose a jury decides your damages add up to $200,000 and finds you 30% at fault. Your award would be reduced to $140,000.

Manufacturers often try to pin as much fault on the injured person as they can. They usually argue that you misused the product or ignored a warning — sometimes without justification. A seasoned Kansas City product liability lawyer can examine the evidence and push back against unfair attempts to shift the blame onto you.

What Products Commonly Cause Product Liability Injuries?

Dangerous products injure consumers every single day. 

Some of the products most often at the center of these claims include:

• Vehicle parts like brake systems, tires, or airbags.
• Medical devices that cause complications.
• Drugs and medications with deficient warnings concerning dangerous side effects.
• Power tools and work equipment that injure workers or DIYers.
• Children’s products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, and toys.

Because consumer products are used in so many different ways, a defect can cause nearly any kind of catastrophic injury. 

Common Injuries in Product Liability Cases in Kansas City, MO

Some of the most common include:

• Broken bones
• Severe burns
• Electrocution injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Damage to internal organs
• Nerve damage
• Amputations
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Injuries from toxic exposure
• Wrongful death

If you suffered these or other injuries from a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation from the designer, manufacturer, distributor, or other parties. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Product Liability Lawsuit in Missouri?

In most cases, Missouri law gives injured consumers five years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit. If that window closes before you file, the court can dismiss your case, and you may lose the right to recover anything.

Certain situations can change the timeline. Wrongful death cases are subject to a three-year statute of limitations. Warranty-based claims may also have a different deadline. Because these exceptions can be tricky to apply, it is smart to speak with an attorney as soon as you can.

Contact Our Kansas City Product Liability Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Products are supposed to be safe. You shouldn’t pay the price if they were not. If you suffered harm due to a defective product, Cohen Law Firm is ready to help you pursue justice and accountability. 

Contact us today for a free consultation with a Kansas City product liability attorney. Let us help you set things right.