Washington Injury Lawyer Blog

If you are injured by a defective product, please be sure to save the product and not throw it away or otherwise get rid of it. This may sound like common sense, but after a person sustains a serious injury from a defective product, the last thing on their mind is essentially preserving evidence. But without the defective product, it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible to proceed with a products liability claim.

In a recent unfortunate case, a young man was severely and permanently injured by an airbag. He was a passenger in the car of a friend. Because of the severity of his injury, he and his family were focused on his car and multiple surgeries. However in the meantime and before I was contacted, his friend's car was totaled and sent off to the salvage yard. And unfortunately for his products liability claim for the defective airbag, without the car and without the airbag, there was simply no viable claim to pursue.

So with any products liability claim, please ensure that the product is saved and contact an experience products liability attorney immediately to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to preserve the claim.

Posted by John Williams | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car & Truck Accidents , Products Liability

Bookmark:

Whether you are playing soccer in Seattle or maybe your child is playing T-Ball in Lynnwood, many people and parents have chemical cold packs handy. They are a convenient substitute for ice in the case of an injury. But are they safe? When you buy some of these cold packs, they aren't labled "Chemical" cold packs, but that's exactly what they are. Generally, these cold packs utilize ammonium nitrate crystals and a small bag of water or ampule, all of which is contained in a tough white plastic bag. Once the container for the water is crushed, the water and ammonium nitrate crystals mix resulting in a chemical reaction that creates the cold temperature. Unfortunately, this is a caustic mixture that will cause a chemical burn if exposed to skin because of a faulty outer bag or puncture in the bag.

There are now alternatives to chemical cold packs which do not use a caustic chemical mixture and are safe. There is always the old standby as well, ice. While not as convenient, ice will not cause a chemical burn that you will have the rest of your life. While I have represented clients who have received chemical burns from these cold packs, no one has ever contacted me because they were injured by ice. Always read the ingredients label, and if it lists ammonium nitrate, put it back and find another option.

Posted by John Williams | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Products Liability

Bookmark: