What Victims Should Do To Prepare For Product Liability Cases
Millions of products are sold to millions of people across the United States. Unfortunately, some of these products don’t always work as they should. In some cases, the products may actually malfunction and cause injury to a person. When this happens, that person may have the right to take legal action against those responsible for the product. Product liability cases are very common and can result in very large settlements.
The first step in receiving compensation will require you to contact the company responsible for manufacturing the product. You have the option of writing the company a letter (or email), or calling them. The company will usually respond by requesting that you submit a formal complaint so that they can clearly understand the circumstances you’re in.
Shortly after submitting your complaint, you’ll likely be introduced to a claims adjuster. The claims adjuster will want to know more details about what happened. He’ll likely ask about your injuries and whether a physician has examined you. If you’ve visited the hospital, you’ll want to provide documents detailing your injuries and diagnosis. Do your best to be as accurate as possible when it comes to this exchange; all of this information will be used again later on.
Remember that the claims adjuster is simply doing his job – he’s not your friend. This isn’t to say that the two of you can’t be cordial and friendly. It’s the adjuster’s job to record your information and determine what kind of compensation you may be allowed to receive. One of the adjuster’s primary goals is to save the insurance company money. Needless to say, when it comes to negotiating, you may initially see numbers on the low end. Don’t be afraid to decline an offer if you feel it simply isn’t enough.
Product liability cases don’t always result in large settlements. Victims have to work hard to make sure they get the compensation they deserve. Again, make sure you contact the negligent company and inform them about what happened. When you meet with an adjuster, be honest with them and provide them with the information they need. Lastly, don’t forget that negotiating your settlement may end up being more difficult than you thought.
