Legal Representation for Injuries Caused by Defective Products in Savannah, Georgia
Product liability claims arise when unsafe or defective products cause harm to consumers. These cases hold manufacturers, retailers, and distributors legally responsible for injuries or losses resulting from product flaws. Under Georgia law, injured victims in Savannah may pursue compensation if the product that caused harm was unreasonably dangerous due to its design, manufacturing process, or lack of adequate warnings.
Hasner Law, PC represents injured consumers throughout Savannah and Chatham County. Whether a client is injured by a defective medical device, dangerous household appliance, or faulty automobile component, our Savannah product liability lawyers evaluate liability and build strong claims to recover compensation. We investigate the product’s origin, obtain safety records, and prepare each claim with supporting evidence.
If a defective product caused injury to you or someone in your household, you may have legal grounds to pursue financial recovery. Hasner Law provides free consultations and only charges fees if compensation is recovered. Call (912) 234-2334 or complete the online form for a confidential case evaluation.
Savannah Product Liability Guide
- Why Trust Hasner Law with Your Savannah Product Liability Claim
- Compensation Available in a Savannah Product Liability Claim
- Can You Sue For a Defective Product in Georgia?
- Types of Product Defects Leading to Legal Claims
- How Liability Is Determined in Georgia Product Liability Cases
- Georgia’s Statute of Limitations and Statute of Repose
- The Role of Expert Testimony in Defective Product Claims
- Georgia’s Comparative Fault Standard in Product Cases
- What to Do After a Defective Product Injury in Savannah
- Contact a Savannah Product Liability Lawyer Today
Why Trust Hasner Law with Your Savannah Product Liability Claim
Hasner Law offers strategic legal representation for product-related injury cases in Savannah. Our experience with injury claims involving defective goods enables us to identify viable claims, secure necessary documentation, and pursue the full compensation available under Georgia law.
Proven Results in Injury Litigation
Hasner Law has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. Our case results include compensation for individuals harmed by unsafe consumer products, malfunctioning equipment, and defective medical devices. Each case is prepared with the evidence, legal arguments, and expert support to secure meaningful outcomes.
Local Knowledge of Savannah Courts
Our defective product attorneys regularly handle civil litigation in the Chatham County State and Superior Courts. Familiarity with local court procedures, judges, and evidentiary rules allows us to manage product liability lawsuits efficiently. We prepare filings, motions, and discovery requests in compliance with court expectations and deadlines.
Coordination with Qualified Experts
Product liability claims often require technical evaluations and professional opinions. Hasner Law works with engineers, physicians, safety specialists, and forensic investigators to establish the product’s defect and impact on the consumer. These experts assist in identifying safer alternatives, reconstructing product failures, and proving causation.
Client-Focused Legal Service
Each client receives individualized support throughout the case. We maintain regular contact, provide case updates, and answer questions about legal procedures and timelines. Our attorneys work directly with clients and ensure that every decision is informed and based on accurate legal guidance.
Contingency-Based Representation
Legal fees are only collected if compensation is recovered. Hasner Law accepts product liability cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs. Free consultations allow injured individuals to determine whether they have a valid claim before taking legal action.
Compensation Available in a Savannah Product Liability Claim
Injured consumers may recover compensation for financial, physical, and emotional harm resulting from defective products. Georgia law provides several categories of damages in product liability cases, depending on the nature of the injury and the impact on the injured person’s life.
Medical Expenses
Claimants may pursue compensation for all medical care related to the injury, including emergency treatment, surgery, follow-up care, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and prescribed medications. Compensation may also cover long-term care costs, home health services, or rehabilitative equipment in more serious cases.
Lost Income
If an injury prevents the person from returning to work, they may be compensated for the money lost due to the harm or illness caused by a defective product. Lost wages are calculated using payroll records, tax filings, or employer statements. Temporary disability claims may cover the recovery period, while permanent disability claims account for a longer-term loss of earning capacity.
Diminished Earning Capacity
Some product-related injuries permanently alter a person’s ability to perform their job. In these cases, economic experts may evaluate the person’s prior income, career trajectory, and new limitations to estimate future income loss. Vocational assessments and medical evaluations support claims for lost future income.
Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages are available for past and future physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, and reduced quality of life. These damages depend on the severity of the injury and its long-term impact. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance may also support this category of compensation.
Property Damage
If the defective product caused damage to personal property, such as electronics, appliances, or a vehicle, the cost of repair or replacement may be included in the damages claim. Supporting evidence includes photographs, repair estimates, and receipts.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, Georgia law allows injured parties to seek punitive damages. These are available when the defendant’s conduct shows willful misconduct, fraud, or a conscious disregard for consumer safety.
For example, punitive damages may apply when a manufacturer knew of a defect but failed to issue a recall or concealed safety test results. Georgia typically limits punitive damages to $250,000, but exceptions apply in certain product liability cases.
Can You Sue For a Defective Product in Georgia?
Georgia law allows injured consumers to bring claims under multiple legal theories. These include strict liability, negligence, and breach of warranty. Each legal theory has its evidentiary requirements and may apply differently based on the product and the use circumstances.
Strict Liability
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11(b)(1), a manufacturer may be held responsible if a defective product causes injury, regardless of intent or negligence. To prevail, the claimant must prove that the product was defective, that the defect existed when it left the defendant’s control, and that the defect caused the injury. The manufacturer’s knowledge or intent is not required to establish liability.
Negligence
Claims based on negligence involve showing that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care in designing, manufacturing, testing, or distributing the product. This may include failing to inspect for defects, not complying with industry standards, or ignoring known safety risks. Plaintiffs must prove that the negligent act directly caused their injury.
Breach of Warranty
A product may also be defective due to a breach of warranty. Express warranties are specific representations about a product’s safety or performance, while implied warranties guarantee that the product is fit for ordinary use. Breach of warranty claims apply when a product fails to perform as promised or causes injury during ordinary use.
Types of Product Defects Leading to Legal Claims
Product liability claims typically involve one or more recognized defect categories. The nature of the defect affects the legal theory pursued and the evidence required to prove the claim.
Design Defects
Design defects occur when a product’s intended design poses unreasonable risks, even if manufactured according to specifications. To succeed in a design defect claim, the plaintiff must show that a safer alternative design could have been implemented without unreasonable cost.
Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing defects arise when a product deviates from its intended design due to errors in production. These defects may result from faulty components, poor assembly practices, or contamination. Manufacturing defects often affect only a subset of the total product line.
Failure to Warn or Inadequate Instructions
Marketing defects include insufficient labeling, unclear safety instructions, or failure to warn of foreseeable risks. These claims involve products that would be safe if proper warnings or usage guidelines had been provided. Common examples include prescription drugs without adequate dosage warnings or appliances sold without fire hazard notices.
Each defect type requires documentation, expert evaluation, and a clear link between the defect and the injury. Hasner Law prepares each claim by reviewing the product’s history, analyzing technical specifications, and coordinating with qualified consultants to determine how the defect occurred.
How Liability Is Determined in Georgia Product Liability Cases
Determining who bears legal responsibility for a defective product involves evaluating its production, distribution, and sale. Depending on how the defect originated and whether proper precautions were taken to prevent foreseeable harm, liability may fall on a single party or multiple entities along the supply chain.
Manufacturers
The original manufacturer of a defective product, including the producers of component parts, is often the primary defendant in product liability claims. Claims against manufacturers focus on design flaws, poor quality control, or failure to conduct adequate testing before release to market.
Distributors and Wholesalers
Entities moving the product between the manufacturer and the retailer may be included in a lawsuit when improper handling, mislabeling, or failure to intervene in known defects contributed to the injury. These intermediaries often serve as points of contact in supply chains for products outside the United States.
Retailers
Retailers may be liable for selling defective products, especially when they ignore recall notices, alter safety features, or make performance claims inconsistent with manufacturer specifications. In Georgia, retailers may be sued even if they did not manufacture or modify the product.
Foreign Manufacturers and Importers
When the product was manufactured outside the United States, Georgia law permits claims against domestic entities responsible for importing and distributing the item. Plaintiffs do not need to name the foreign entity as a defendant if the in-state distributor or importer directly placed the product into the stream of commerce.
Third-Party Contractors
Maintenance providers, installers, or contractors who modify or assemble a product may share liability when their conduct contributes to its dangerous condition. These claims often arise when installation errors create hazards that are not present in the original product design.
Legal counsel helps identify and pursue claims against all appropriate parties. Hasner Law reviews supplier agreements, distribution records, and regulatory filings to determine whether additional defendants should be included to increase the chances of full recovery.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations and Statute of Repose
Georgia imposes two primary legal deadlines in product liability cases: the statute of limitations and the statute of repose. These deadlines vary depending on the injury and circumstances of the claim.
Two-Year Statute of Limitations
Most product liability claims in Georgia must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. This applies to personal injury and wrongful death claims. With limited exceptions, the deadline is not extended even if the injured person was unaware of the product defect at the time of the incident.
Ten-Year Statute of Repose
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11(c), no product liability claim may be brought more than ten years after the product’s first sale for use or consumption. This applies regardless of when the injury occurred. The statute of repose eliminates claims based on long-term product use unless specific exceptions apply.
Exceptions and Tolling Provisions
- Minors. If the injured party is under 18, the statute of limitations is tolled until they reach legal adulthood, allowing them to file a claim until their 20th birthday.
- Fraud or Concealment. Courts may extend the filing window if a manufacturer concealed the defect or failed to disclose material safety information.
- Latent Injuries. In rare cases where the injury could not reasonably be discovered earlier, courts may consider extending the statute of limitations if the claim is otherwise timely under the statute of repose.
Proper legal assessment from a qualified product liability lawyer ensures that the correct deadlines are applied and that filing occurs within the required period.
The Role of Expert Testimony in Defective Product Claims
Georgia law generally requires technical evidence to prove a product defect and establish causation. Expert testimony is often mandatory, particularly in claims involving design alternatives, mechanical failure, or scientific analysis.
Types of Experts Used in Product Liability Cases
- Mechanical engineers. Assess product design, mechanical performance, and safer alternatives.
- Biomedical experts. Evaluate defective medical devices or pharmaceuticals.
- Fire investigators. Analyze products involved in electrical fires or thermal failures.
- Toxicologists. Provide analysis in claims involving chemical exposure.
- Economic experts. Assess lifetime earning losses or future care costs.
Hasner Law works with credentialed professionals to prepare reports, review technical specifications, and provide sworn testimony that meets the admissibility requirements set forth under Georgia Rule of Evidence 702.
Georgia’s Comparative Fault Standard in Product Cases
Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule, codified in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This rule allows a plaintiff to recover compensation even if they are partially responsible for the incident, provided they are less than 50 percent at fault.
If the plaintiff is found partially liable—for example, by misusing a product in a foreseeable way—their compensation will be reduced proportionally to their share of responsibility. If they are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, they are barred from recovering damages.
Defendants frequently invoke comparative fault as a defense in product cases. For this reason, product misuse, improper maintenance, or failure to follow instructions are often contested issues. Hasner Law prepares evidence to counter these arguments and maintain eligibility for full recovery.
What to Do After a Defective Product Injury in Savannah
Preserving evidence and taking timely action after an injury helps support a strong legal claim. Injured consumers are encouraged to take the following steps:
- Seek Medical Attention
Obtain prompt medical treatment and request detailed records linking the injury to the defective product. Continued care should be consistent and follow the physician’s recommendations. - Preserve the Product
Do not discard or modify the item. Preserve the product in its original condition, including any packaging, receipts, instruction manuals, or safety labels. - Document the Incident
Photograph the injury, the product, and the incident’s location. Make a written record of what happened, including date, time, and sequence of events. - Secure Witness Statements
If anyone witnessed the incident, obtain their names and contact information. Their testimony may be helpful if liability is disputed. - Avoid Contact with Manufacturers or Insurers
Manufacturers may attempt to settle claims early or request product returns before inspections occur. Do not provide statements or release the product until legal counsel has reviewed the situation. - Contact a Product Liability Attorney
Legal representation helps manage claim deadlines, coordinate with experts, and pursue the appropriate legal theories under Georgia law.
Contact a Savannah Product Liability Lawyer Today
If a defective product caused serious injury or financial loss, legal representation can help determine who is liable and what compensation may be recovered. Hasner Law provides strategic representation for product liability claims throughout Savannah. We prepare each case with the evidence, legal support, and expert resources necessary to pursue meaningful recovery.
Call (912) 234-2334 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Savannah. There are no legal fees unless compensation is secured through a settlement or a verdict. Let our legal team evaluate your claim and help you confidently move forward.
Hasner Law: Savannah Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
221 W York St,
Savannah, GA 31401
Ph: 912-234-2334
