Companies may not realize initially that the products they release are not safe for the public to use. It may only be after consumer complaints start rolling in that they realize there was a problem with the design or a bad production batch.
At that point, there may have been hundreds or thousands of units sold to consumers. Each of those customers could be at risk if the product fails. Businesses dealing with defective products may initiate recalls.
The goal of a recall is to prevent consumer injuries that lead to lawsuits and limit company liability. Does a recall prevent consumers from holding companies accountable for defective products?
Recalls do not always end liability
Product recalls may involve requests to return defective products for a refund or a replacement. Other times, businesses may instruct consumers bring complex, costly products to designated locations for repairs.
Regardless of how a company rolls out a recall, there are some consumers who might still end up affected by the defective product after the recall. Perhaps the company failed to properly communicate the recall with consumers who have registered their products.
Maybe the timeline for replacements or repairs is lengthy, and something happens in between when the customer learns about the recall and when the business actually corrects the issue. Consumers could end up physically injured or dealing with extensive property damage losses if a recalled product causes a fire or a car crash.
Reviewing the circumstances surrounding the product defect and the harm it caused can help people determine if they have grounds for a lawsuit. Holding companies accountable can help people cover expenses related to property damage and physical injuries caused by poorly designed or improperly manufactured products.