When you buy a new device or appliance, you expect it to be working correctly. If it is not then you can of course take it back to get a full refund. However, if a faulty product causes you an injury whilst you are using it, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. It doesn’t matter whether it is an electrical appliance or a piece of furniture; if it is sold in a faulty condition and it causes you harm then you have a right to seek damages.
Improper use
Claims against product manufacturers can only be made if the product was faulty and you were using it correctly. For instance, if you are standing on a table to change a light bulb and the table breaks then it may well have been faulty but because it was not designed to be stood on, you probably won’t be able to make a personal injury claim. The same principle is true of electrical appliances. However, if you are using an item as it was intended to be used and you suffer an injury, you could be eligible to claim damages.
Who is liable for my injury?
If you have been injured by a faulty product, knowing who to claim from isn’t easy. Both the manufacturer and retailer have an obligation to supply goods in a condition that won’t cause injury to their customers. Many products are manufactured abroad and in these cases, it is much easier to make a claim for compensation against the retailer. Often the retailers can make a counter claim against the manufacturer.
However, in some instances it might make more sense to make a claim directly against the manufacturer. Whether this is appropriate or not can depend on all sorts of factors, which is why you should seek help from a professional injury solicitor with experience in such cases who can advise you as to the best course of action.
