Overview of North Carolina Product Liability Law

Chapter 99B of the North Carolina General Statutes establishes provisions relating to product liability claims in the Tar Heel State. North Carolina General Statute § 99B-1.1 specifically states that there is no strict liability in product liability actions.

In other words, a manufacturer is not automatically liable when one of its products injures a person. A person pursuing a product liability claim in North Carolina will have to satisfy certain requirements in order to hold a negligent party accountable.

Did you suffer severe injuries or was your loved one killed by a defective product in North Carolina? You will want to immediately contact the Nye Law Group. Our firm represents clients in communities throughout the Charlotte area. You can receive a free consultation by calling 855-636-9277.

Types of Product Liability in North Carolina

North Carolina recognizes three kinds of product liability claims:

1. Manufacturing Defects — A product caused an injury because it was defectively manufactured. These are typically isolated cases in which some kind of error in the manufacturing process made the product unreasonably dangerous.
2. Design Defects — When a product is improperly designed, multiple people may be harmed because of the defect. Product liability actions based on design defects frequently become class action lawsuits as multiple people suffer similar injuries due to the same problem.
3. Failure to Warn — Product manufacturers can also be liable for not providing adequate instructions or sufficient warnings about dangers of improper product uses.

A person generally has three years to commence a product liability action in North Carolina. It is important for any victim injured by a defective product to not throw that product away. Instead, store the dangerous product in a safe place where nobody else will access it and potentially harm themselves as well.

You should also keep all receipts relating to your purchase of the defective product. Additionally,  after you have been injured by a defective product, you shouldn’t delay seeking medical treatment.

Insurance companies for negligent manufacturers will use any delays in treatment to argue a victim’s injuries were not as serious as he or she claims. By immediately seeking medical attention, you also protect your own long-term health as some serious injuries do not always have immediate symptoms.

Victims in product liability cases may be entitled to economic damages for calculable harm such as medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering may also be awarded, and certain cases can involve possible punitive damages when a defendant is determined to have acted maliciously, wantonly, or in an otherwise careless and reckless manner.

Find a Product Liability Attorney in North Carolina

If you suffered catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed by a defective product in North Carolina, do not delay in seeking legal representation. The Nye Law Group represents clients all over the Tar Heel State.

Our Charlotte personal injury lawyer will fight to get you full and fair compensation for all of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Call 855-636-9277 or contact us online to have our attorney provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free consultation.