People file product liability lawsuits when they suffer damages due to a faulty product. There is an almost limitless number of products currently in use around the world, and many of them are capable of causing harm. That being said, some products are specifically designed to ensure our safety, and a fire alarm is a clear example of this. When these products malfunction and fail to work properly, the consequences can be much worse than a typical product-related injury.
If your fire alarm has malfunctioned, you may be dealing with all kinds of issues. Your house might have burned down. Perhaps you suffered injuries due to the resulting fires. Maybe a loved one passed away because their fire alarm simply did not perform as it should have. Whatever the case may be, it makes sense to team up with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These legal experts can help you recover compensation for your damages.
New York’s Smoke Detector Laws
In 2019, it was reported that New York had enacted a brand new set of smoke detector laws. Among other things, these laws mandated that all smoke detectors sold in the Empire State must be powered by a battery with a lifespan of at least 10 years. The detector may also be hardwired to the home. This came at a time when there were growing concerns about fire-related deaths in the state. Three out of five fire-related deaths in the nation occur in homes without working smoke detectors, and many of these detectors have missing or dead batteries.
Can You Sue Smoke Detector Manufacturers?
Generally speaking, you can file a product liability lawsuit whenever manufacturers are guilty of the following things:
The product was defectively manufactured
The product was defectively designed
They failed to provide you with proper warnings or instructions
Fire alarms may have been defectively manufactured if they fail to work properly. In addition, manufacturers could be liable if you can prove that they falsely claimed the product was more reliable than it actually was. There are many different kinds of smoke detectors, and some of the less expensive options overpromise in terms of their effectiveness.
Your Landlord Must Install a Smoke Detector
In addition to filing a product liability lawsuit, you may also have the chance to hold your landlord liable if they failed to provide you with a working, reliable smoke detector. In New York, tenants are specifically given the right to have a working smoke detector. If these rights are violated, your landlord may be liable for injuries.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you need help with your product liability lawsuit, reach out to The Glassman Law Group at your earliest convenience. We have considerable experience with all kinds of different personal injury cases, including those related to product liability. Book a consultation at our offices in New York, and we will develop an action plan together.
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