Dangerous products are far more common than they should be. Despite manufacturers’ and retailers’ obligations to avoid putting dangerous products on the market, numerous people suffer serious and fatal injuries caused by defective products every year. These products range from home goods and personal electronics to implantable medical devices and prescription medications.
10 Tips for Mitigating Your Risk of Product-Related Injuries
With this in mind, as a consumer or patient, it is important to try to protect yourself—to the extent that you can. Here are 10 tips to mitigate your risk of suffering a product-related injury:
1. Buy from a Reputable Retailer
One way you can help protect yourself is by buying from a reputable retailer. While this won’t guarantee that the products you buy are safe, it can be safer than buying from an unknown online business or a new store that might not have effective product screening or quality control procedures.
2. Buy from a Reputable Manufacturer
Along with buying from a reputable retailer, it can also be important to make sure you are buying from a reputable manufacturer. In many cases, even retailers that are generally considered to be reputable (including major online retailers like Amazon and Walmart) will allow third-party merchants to sell dangerous, defective or counterfeit products on their platforms. Unreputable manufacturers may misrepresent the quality or contents of their products as well.
3. Read Customer Reviews
Reading customer reviews can help you avoid buying a potentially dangerous product in some cases. With that said, it is also important not to rely on customer reviews exclusively. Even if a product has received mostly high ratings, it may be that no one has yet discovered a hidden issue, or it may be that the manufacturer has paid for its positive reviews.
4. Check for Recalls
Another way you can help protect yourself (and your loved ones) is by checking for recalls—which you can do on Recalls.gov. Keep in mind, however, that this also is not foolproof. In many cases, companies don’t issue recalls until their products start causing harm; and, in some cases, companies fight to avoid issuing recalls for their dangerous products for as long as possible.
5. Check for Consumer Alerts and Notices
Even if a product hasn’t been recalled, it may still be subject to a consumer alert or notice. Multiple government agencies issue product-related warnings on a regular basis. A general search for the name of the product might (or might not) produce a link to any relevant alerts or notices; or, if you have concerns, you can search the relevant agency’s website for information about the product in question. Here are some links you may find useful:
6. Err on the Side of Caution
Any time you have concerns about a product’s safety, it is best to err on the side of caution. Do your research; and, if you can’t find enough information to feel confident using the product, use an alternative instead. There are more than enough products out there; and, in most cases, there will be multiple alternatives available.
7. Make Sure You Know How the Product Works (or Know Its Ingredients)
When using products like tools, appliances, electronics and other devices, it is important to make sure you know how the product works. Likewise, if you will be putting a product in or on your body, it will be worth taking a moment to carefully review its ingredients. If you misuse a product, or if you use or consume a product that may be harmful to you (whether it presents a risk for an allergic reaction or a serious medical condition like cancer), you could find yourself facing life-altering consequences.
8. Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions or Recommendations
In this same vein, you should be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions or recommendations regarding use. This is especially (but not exclusively) true if the manufacturer warns about specific risks. If a product needs to be assembled, used or consumed a certain way in order for it to be safe, then failing to follow the manufacturer’s guidance could be risky.
9. Stop Using the Product if It Breaks, Malfunctions or Gets Recalled
If a product you are using breaks, malfunctions or gets recalled, you should stop using it right away. Likewise, if you experience an adverse reaction, you should stop using the product promptly in this scenario as well. You do not want to continue putting yourself at risk unnecessarily.
10. Seek Treatment Promptly if You Have Health or Injury Concerns
Finally, if you have health or injury concerns after using a product, you should seek treatment promptly. Many types of product-related injuries and illnesses can get worse without effective treatment. When you see a doctor, be sure to tell your doctor about your use of the product so that he or she can note this in your medical records.
What if You Suffer a Product-Related Injury?
What if it’s too late to avoid a product-related injury or illness? If you have been harmed by a dangerous or defective product, you may be entitled to just compensation for your financial and non-financial losses. To protect your legal rights, you should speak with a product liability lawyer as soon as possible.
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