Chicago Product Liability Lawyer
Our experienced Chicago product liability lawyers can help you recover substantial compensation when defective products cause serious harm or injury, leaving you with permanent disabilities and reduced quality of life. At Levin & Perconti, we understand the devastating impact of defective product injuries and are committed to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.
- Experienced Chicago Product Liability Lawyers Protecting Injured Consumers
- What Is a Product Liability Claim?
- What Do I Have To Prove in a Product Liability Claim?
- Common Defective Products in Chicago
- What Damages Can You Recover in a Chicago Product Liability Claim?
- What is The Legal Process for Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit in Chicago
- Chicago Product Liability Claims Are Unique
- Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability in Chicago
- Contact a Chicago Product Liability Lawyer Near You Today
Experienced Chicago Product Liability Lawyers Protecting Injured Consumers
With more than 400 years of combined legal experience, our team has built a national reputation for securing justice in complex product liability cases.
Experienced Chicago Product Liability Lawyers Protecting Injured Consumers
We have recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including significant product liability settlements and verdicts, such as the following:
$3 million
Settlement
against a car manufacturer that improperly designed the fuel delivery system of a vehicle, resulting in a fuel-fed fire after a head-on collision which killed the occupants of the vehicle.
$1.25 million
Settlement
for a 70-year-old patient who, as a result of treatment for prostate cancer, suffered radiation burns to the rectal wall due to improper placement of radioactive seeds (brachytherapy) in the prostate requiring numerous surgeries and loss of all bladder and bowel function.
$650,000
Settlement
against Rush Presbyterian and a doctor who administered a 17-year-old plaintiff brachytherapy for a cancerous tumor on the back of her leg and during the brachytherapy caused serious burns which took two years to heal.
Our Clients Give Us Glowing Reviews for Our Compassionate Service and Results
We care about our clients and their results, and our client testimonials speak to the hard work and dedication we bring to every case:
Testimonials
What Is a Product Liability Claim?
A product liability claim is a lawsuit against the companies responsible for manufacturing, designing, and distributing defective products. Manufacturers have a legal duty to follow safety standards and perform necessary testing to ensure products are safe before making them available to the public.
As a consumer, you have the right to expect that the products you purchase will be safe and work as advertised. If you were injured while using a product as intended—whether it was a household appliance, medical device, or children’s toy—you may have grounds to file a product liability claim.
Our Chicago product liability lawyers are champions of consumer rights. We have the resources and determination to stand up to corporations and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Do I Have To Prove in a Product Liability Claim?
You must prove that you were injured as a result of at least one of the following conditions to prevail in a product liability claim:
- Design defect — The product was dangerous because of the way it was designed, regardless of how perfectly it was manufactured and packaged. An example of this could be a vehicle model designed with a fuel tank placement that increases the risk of fires in a rear-end collision.
- Manufacturing defect — There were errors in the manufacturing process or packaging of the product, such as a batch of prescription medication contaminated during production.
- Failure to warn — The product lacked sufficient warnings or instructions, for instance, a household cleaner sold without a label warning about toxic fumes.
We have been handling product liability claims since 1992 and have developed the most aggressive, effective approach for handling each case. When you hire our Chicago defective product attorneys, we will investigate the product’s entire history, including its original design documentation, the manufacturing process, and its journey to your door. We have a nationwide network of the best experts in the field working for us, and we will use these connections to identify every defect and prove your claim.
Common Defective Products in Chicago
Many everyday items can pose serious dangers if they are defectively designed, manufactured, or labeled. Some of the most common defective products involved in Chicago product liability claims include:
- Automobile parts — Defective parts such as airbags, brakes, tires, and accelerators lead to serious car accidents.
- Medical devices — Defective devices like hip implants, CPAP machines, and hernia mesh cause devastating internal injuries.
- Pharmaceutical drugs — Defective drugs of all types can cause serious and fatal effects, including birth control pills, anti-inflammatory drugs, labor-inducing drugs, and weight loss drugs.
- Children’s products — Unsafe toys, car seats, and cribs cause choking, suffocation, and crushing injuries.
- Household appliances — Defective appliances such as pressure cookers, clothes dryers, and space heaters cause fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Tools — Defective augers, nail guns, grinders, and other power tools cause amputations, punctures, and crushing injuries.
- Hazardous chemicals — Defective household cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals cause burns, respiratory distress, cancer, and chronic diseases.
- Personal care products — Cosmetics, hair straighteners, hair dyes, and other products contain toxic chemicals that cause cancer, skin irritation, and chronic conditions.
- Exercise equipment — Defective treadmills, weight machines, and stationary bicycles can cause falling and crushing injuries.
- Food — Food poisoning can lead to serious illness or death.
If you have been injured by any defective product—whether or not it appears on this list—our Chicago product liability lawyers are ready to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation.
Our Product Defect Cases
We have successfully handled some of the most complex and high-profile defective product cases in the nation, including:
- Stryker hip replacement recall lawsuits
- Testosterone therapy lawsuits
- DePuy ASR hip implant recall lawsuits
- Spinal steroid injection recall lawsuits
- Exactech knee and ankle implant recall lawsuits
- Philips CPAP machine recall lawsuits
- Darvon and Darvocet recall lawsuits
- EpiPen lawsuits
If you or your loved one has been injured by a defective product, call (312) 471-0901 immediately for a free consultation.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Chicago Product Liability Claim?
You may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages in a Chicago defective products claim.
Economic damages cover the financial costs of your injuries, such as:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
If your loved one died because of a defective product, economic damages in a wrongful death claim may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s likely lifetime income
- Medical expenses
- Loss of estate value
Non-economic damages cover the emotional costs of your injuries, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of function
In a wrongful death case, non-economic damages may also include:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of love and affection
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
Our Chicago product liability lawyers are committed to helping you recover the maximum compensation available.
What is The Legal Process for Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit in Chicago
Chicago product liability lawsuits generally move through the following four stages:
- Filing of the Lawsuit — You will usually need to file your lawsuit through the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
- Discovery — The defendants may require you to testify under oath in an informal hearing known as a deposition. You may need to submit medical records and other evidence to the defendants. You also have the right to require the defendants to undergo a deposition and turn over evidence.
- Mediation — Mediation is a meeting or series of meetings before an impartial third party known as a mediator. Its purpose is to come to an agreement. It can be voluntary or court-ordered.
- Trial — If you cannot reach an agreement, the case proceeds to trial, and the jury determines the outcome. The defense may submit motions to dismiss the case before the trial, but this tactic is often unsuccessful.
Our Chicago product liability lawyers can handle every step of this process, from the initial filing to aggressive trial representation if needed. We never settle for less than fair compensation and are not afraid to take cases to trial.
Chicago Product Liability Claims Are Unique
Unlike other personal injury claims, you do not have to prove that the defendant was negligent when you are suing for defective products in Chicago. Product liability law is governed by the doctrine of strict liability. Under strict liability, you only need to prove that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury.
Manufacturers and distributors have a duty to ensure that the products they provide to the public are safe. Illinois product liability law allows you to hold them liable for up to 10 years after the first user buys, leases, or receives delivery of a new product or 12 years after the product was first released, whichever period expires sooner. These time limits may be extended if the manufacturer provided a warranty that lasts longer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability in Chicago
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How Long Do I Have To File a Product Liability Lawsuit In Illinois?
In Illinois, strict deadlines apply to product liability lawsuits:
- 2 years from the date of the injury to file your claim.
- If the injury is discovered later, you have up to 2 years from the date of discovery—but no more than 8 years from when the injury actually occurred.
- You must also file within the state’s 10-year or 12-year statute of repose, whichever applies, unless the product came with a longer warranty.
These deadlines can be complex, and missing one will permanently bar your claim. Acting quickly also helps us preserve evidence, locate witnesses, and build a stronger case, so don’t wait—contact our experienced Chicago defective product attorneys immediately if you or your loved one is injured and you suspect a defective product caused it.
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Defective Product In Illinois?
In Illinois, anyone in the chain of distribution of a product can be held liable for defective products, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, importers, and agents. When we take on your case, we will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover all of the responsible parties so you receive full compensation.
Do I Have a Case if I Used the Product Incorrectly or Off-Label?
Using a product incorrectly or for an “off-label” purpose can affect your claim — but it does not always bar you from recovering compensation. Contact our Chicago product liability lawyers so we can analyze the facts. We may be able to save your claim if we determine that the manufacturer should have anticipated the misuse or that the misuse was not the sole factor in your injuries.
Do I Need To Keep The Defective Product?
Yes, you should keep the product without altering it, if possible. When you contact our manufacturing defect lawyers in Chicago, we will guide you on how to preserve evidence until we can collect it and hold it for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Product Liability Lawyer At Levin & Perconti?
We charge no upfront fees to file a product liability claim in Chicago, and the initial consultation is free. We invest our own financial resources to prosecute your claim, and we only collect fees and costs from you if we win your case and successfully recover compensation.
Contact a Chicago Product Liability Lawyer Near You Today
With over 33 years of experience and $2 billion in settlements and verdicts recovered, you can count on our Chicago product liability lawyers to wage an effective fight for justice and stand with you until we get you the compensation you deserve.
If you or your loved one is injured by a defective product, you must act quickly before time runs out. Contact us online or call (312) 332-2872 today for your free, no-obligation consultation. We charge no upfront fees and only get paid if we win your case.
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- Free Consultation
- (312) 332-2872
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Notable Results
SETTLEMENT
against a car manufacturer that improperly designed the fuel delivery system of a vehicle, resulting in a fuel-fed fire after a head-on collision which killed the occupants of the vehicle.
SETTLEMENT
for a 70-year-old patient who, as a result of treatment for prostate cancer, suffered radiation burns to the rectal wall due to improper placement of radioactive seeds (brachytherapy) in the prostate requiring numerous surgeries and loss of all bladder and bowel function.
VERDICT
against Rush Presbyterian and a doctor who administered a 17-year-old plaintiff brachytherapy for a cancerous tumor on the back of her leg and during the brachytherapy caused serious burns which took two years to heal.
Our Office
325 N LaSalle Dr Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-332-2872