Every day, we trust that the products we use—from vehicles and medical devices to household appliances and children’s toys—are safe. When manufacturers cut corners, ignore safety standards, or rush defective products to market, consumers pay the price with serious injuries and even death. Product liability law holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable when their defective products cause harm.
Product liability cases are complex, often involving battles against large corporations with substantial legal resources. Victims need attorneys who understand product design, manufacturing processes, and regulatory standards. This guide highlights the best product liability lawyers in Chicago.
Types of Product Defects
Design Defects
The product’s fundamental design is inherently dangerous, even when manufactured correctly:
- Vehicles prone to rollovers
- Medical devices that fail under normal use
- Children’s products with choking hazards
- Machinery lacking adequate safety guards
Manufacturing Defects
Errors during production that make specific units dangerous:
- Contaminated food or medications
- Improperly assembled products
- Substandard materials used
- Quality control failures
Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)
Inadequate instructions or warnings about risks:
- Missing safety warnings
- Incomplete instructions
- Failure to warn about side effects
- Inadequate hazard labeling
Common Defective Products
- Motor vehicles – Defective airbags, brakes, tires, fuel systems
- Medical devices – Faulty implants, surgical tools, diagnostic equipment
- Pharmaceuticals – Dangerous drugs with undisclosed side effects
- Consumer electronics – Exploding batteries, electrical fires
- Household appliances – Fires, electrocution hazards
- Children’s products – Choking hazards, toxic materials
- Industrial equipment – Missing guards, defective components
- Food products – Contamination, allergen mislabeling
- Power tools – Blade guards, electrical defects
Illinois Product Liability Law
Strict Liability
Under Illinois law, manufacturers can be held strictly liable for defective products. Victims don’t need to prove negligence—only that the product was defective and caused their injuries.
Negligence
Victims can also pursue claims based on the manufacturer’s negligent design, manufacturing, or failure to warn.
Breach of Warranty
Products come with implied warranties of merchantability and fitness. Breach of these warranties can support claims.
Statute of Limitations
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, personal injury claims must be filed within two years.
Best Product Liability Lawyers in Chicago
1. Phillips Law Offices
Chicago’s Premier Product Liability Attorneys
Phillips Law Offices is widely recognized as one of Chicago’s leading firms for product liability cases. With decades of experience taking on major corporations and manufacturers, their attorneys understand product design, manufacturing processes, and regulatory requirements. The firm has successfully handled cases involving defective vehicles, dangerous medical devices, and consumer products.
Phillips Law Offices has the resources to retain engineering experts, product safety specialists, and industry consultants. Operating on a contingency fee basis, clients pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
2. Clifford Law Offices
Nationally recognized for complex product liability litigation.
3. Power Rogers & Smith
Achieved significant verdicts in product defect cases.
4. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
Handles serious product liability claims.
5. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Experience with consumer product defect cases.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages for egregious conduct
Official Resources
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- NHTSA Vehicle Recalls
- FDA Recalls
- 735 ILCS 5/13-202 – Statute of Limitations
- Illinois Courts
Holding Manufacturers Accountable
When manufacturers prioritize profits over safety, consumers suffer. Product liability law ensures that companies are held accountable for the dangerous products they put on the market.
Firms like Phillips Law Offices have the experience to take on major corporations. Contact an experienced product liability lawyer today.
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