When you buy a product, you trust that it’s been designed, built, and tested with your safety in mind. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. From farm equipment and vehicle parts to household appliances and children’s toys, defective products can cause life-changing injuries in a single moment.
At Friedman Law Offices, our personal injury lawyers help injured people across Nebraska hold product manufacturers and other responsible companies accountable. From our office in Lincoln, we handle product liability claims for clients throughout the state.
If a dangerous or defective product has hurt you or someone you love, you don’t have to face a large corporation or insurance company alone. Contact us for a free consultation. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we make a recovery for you.
What Is Product Liability?
“Product liability” is the area of law that holds companies responsible when the products they design, make, or sell cause preventable harm.
You may have a product liability claim if:
- You were using a product in a reasonably expected way
- The product was unreasonably dangerous because of a defect or missing warning
- That defect or failure to warn caused your injury
These cases can be complex and often involve extensive investigation and expert testimony. Our job is to stand up for you when a company puts its bottom line ahead of your safety.
Types of Product Defects
Most product liability claims fall into one or more of these categories:
Design Defects
The product is unsafe from the very beginning because of the way it was designed. Even when built exactly as intended, the design itself creates an unreasonable risk of harm.
Examples include:
- A power tool without adequate safety guards
- A vehicle that tends to roll over during normal turns
- A piece of farm equipment with an exposed moving part that could easily be shielded
Manufacturing Defects
The design is generally safe, but something goes wrong in the manufacturing or assembly process. As a result, one product, or a batch of products, is more dangerous than intended.
Examples include:
- A batch of bolts that is too weak and fails under normal pressure
- A ladder with a cracked rung from a factory error
- A vehicle component that’s missing a piece or assembled incorrectly
Failure to Warn / Inadequate Instructions
Some products carry risks even when they’re carefully designed and built. When that’s true, manufacturers and others in the distribution chain must provide clear warnings and instructions so you can use the product safely.
A “failure to warn” claim may exist when:
- Important safety instructions are missing or hard to understand
- Risks are hidden in fine print that an average consumer wouldn’t reasonably notice
- Warning labels are placed where you’re unlikely to see them
Common Defective Products in Nebraska
Dangerous and defective products can show up almost anywhere in everyday life. Some examples we see in Nebraska include:
- Motor Vehicles and Parts: Defective brakes, tires, airbags, steering components, seat belts, or fuel systems in cars, pickups, SUVs, and motorcycles
- Farm and Agricultural Equipment: Tractors, combines, grain augers, balers, and other machinery with poor guarding, unstable designs, or other defects that put farmers and workers at risk
- Industrial and Workplace Equipment: Forklifts, presses, conveyors, and other heavy equipment that lack proper safety features or include defective parts
- Household Appliances and Tools: Space heaters, stoves, grills, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and power tools that can spark fires, explode, or cause serious cuts, burns, or crush injuries
- Children’s Products: Cribs, car seats, toys, and other children’s items that pose choking, entrapment, or fall hazards
- Consumer Electronics and Batteries: Phones, laptops, e-bikes, and other devices that overheat, catch fire, or explode because of defective batteries or wiring
- Medications and Medical Devices: Medications or implanted medical devices that cause further health complications
Lincoln and the surrounding areas have a mix of agricultural, industrial, and manufacturing workplaces where defective equipment frequently causes harm. Such products include:
- Farm equipment used in Lancaster County’s agricultural operations
- Heavy machinery used in Lincoln’s construction industry
- Power tools and shop equipment used by technicians and hobbyists
No matter what type of product injured you, it’s worth finding out if a defect played a role. Many people blame themselves, only to learn later that a hidden danger in the product was the real problem.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Defective Product?
One or more of the following may be legally responsible for your injuries:
- Product Manufacturer: The company that designed and built the product or its parts
- Component Manufacturer: A company that made a defective part used in the finished product
- Distributor or Wholesaler: The middlemen getting products from the manufacturer to the store
- Retailer: The store or online seller that placed the product into the hands of consumers
In many cases, multiple companies along this “chain of distribution” may share responsibility. Our attorneys work to identify every party that may be liable so we can pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What to Do if You’re Hurt by a Defective Product
If you suspect a product defect contributed to your injury, taking these steps can help protect your health and your legal rights:
- Get Medical Care Right Away: Your health is most important. Follow your doctor’s instructions and keep all follow-up appointments.
- Save the Product and Packaging: Do not throw the product away or try to fix it. Keep the product, packaging, instructions, and receipts in a safe place. These items can be crucial evidence.
- Take Photos and Notes: Photograph the product, the scene where the injury happened, and any visible injuries. Write down what you were doing when the incident occurred.
- Avoid Direct Negotiations With the Company or Insurer: Manufacturers and their insurance companies often try to limit their responsibility. Before giving a statement, signing any documents, or accepting a settlement, talk to an attorney.
- Contact a Product Liability Lawyer: The sooner a lawyer can begin investigating, the better the chance of finding and preserving key evidence.
Where to Seek Medical Care in Lincoln After a Product-Related Injury
If you were injured by a defective product, you may need immediate medical care. Lincoln residents often seek treatment at:
- Bryan Medical Center (East and West Campus): Acute injuries, trauma care
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: Level III trauma, orthopedic injuries
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital: Complex rehab needs
Medical records often become important evidence in a product liability claim. We can help you gather the reports, imaging, and documentation needed to support your case.
Compensation in a Product Liability Case
Every case is different, but if a defective product injured you, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Bills: Emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and future medical needs
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: Income you’ve already lost and any impact on your ability to work in the future
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and the emotional toll of your injuries
- Scarring, Disfigurement, and Disability: Long-term changes to your body and abilities
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When injuries limit your ability to do the things you once enjoyed
- Wrongful Death Damages: If a defective product caused the loss of a loved one
Our team looks not only at what you’ve already been through, but also at how your injuries may affect you and your family in the years ahead.
How Friedman Law Offices Helps in Product Liability Cases
Product liability claims are often more complex and expensive to pursue than a typical car crash or slip-and-fall case. They will usually require:
Thorough Investigation
We work to secure the product, review company documents when available, and gather evidence that shows what went wrong.
Expert Analysis
Our attorneys work with engineers, designers, medical experts, and other specialists who can explain how the defect happened and how it caused your injuries.
Building a Strong Legal Theory
Whether your injury involves a design flaw, a manufacturing problem, or a failure to warn, we prepare your case as if it will go to trial, even while we pursue a fair settlement.
Dealing With Insurance Companies and Corporations
We handle all communication with insurers and defense attorneys so you can focus on your recovery.
While minor injuries may not justify the cost and complexity of full product litigation, serious injuries and wrongful death cases often do. We will be honest with you about your options and whether pursuing a claim makes sense in your situation.
Why Choose Friedman Law Offices?
Friedman Law Offices has represented injured Nebraskans for many years, including people harmed by dangerous and defective products. We’re proud to be a firm that is:
- Rooted in Nebraska: From Lincoln, we serve clients across Nebraska, from larger cities to small communities and rural areas.
- Experienced With Complex Cases: Our team is equipped to handle the investigation, expert testimony, and courtroom advocacy that product liability cases often require.
- Respected by Peers: Friedman Law Offices holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, a peer-review rating that reflects the highest level of professional excellence. This rating is based on the opinions of other lawyers and judges—not a guarantee of future results.
- Focused on Personal Attention: We know every client and every case is different. You are never just a file to us. We’ll take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and keep you informed.
- No Fee Unless We Recover for You: We handle product liability claims on a contingency fee basis. That means you owe no attorney’s fees unless we make a recovery through a settlement or verdict.
Talk to a Nebraska Product Liability Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective or dangerous product, you have rights, but strict legal deadlines apply and evidence can disappear. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin protecting your claim.
Contact Friedman Law Offices for a free initial consultation. We’ll review what happened, explain your options, and help you decide on the next steps for you and your family.