When a defective product causes you serious injury, the manufacturer bears responsibility for your damages. At Chris Hudson Law Group, an Augusta product liability lawyer can help injured people throughout Augusta and the surrounding areas pursue product liability claims against the companies that put unsafe products on the market.
Our team has recovered millions of dollars for clients harmed by defective products. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (706) 863-6600 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation of your product liability claim in Augusta.
Why Choose Chris Hudson Law Group for Your Product Liability Case
You need an attorney who understands how manufacturers operate. You also need someone who knows how insurance companies defend these cases. Christopher Hudson, the founder of Chris Hudson Law Group, began his legal career in 2003, practicing civil litigation and workers’ compensation defense.
Our Legal Team
Since 2005, Chris Hudson Law Group has served clients throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Christopher Hudson brings 22 years of legal experience, including extensive work on mass tort cases involving defective products.
Amanda Morris, our other attorney, has 18 years of experience. She previously worked as an Assistant Public Defender, which gave her strong trial experience and a commitment to aggressive client representation.
Our Track Record
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. We secured a $250,000 settlement for a client with a defective hip implant that required removal and replacement. We have also handled numerous mass tort cases involving talcum powder, defective medications, contaminated medical devices, and other dangerous products.
Our team works on contingency, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover money for you. We also offer free consultations so you can discuss your case without any financial obligation.
Client Trust and Credentials
With a 5.0 Google rating from 428 reviews, our clients trust us to represent their interests. We’re licensed to practice in Georgia, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. We serve clients throughout the Central Savannah River Area. If you need an Augusta product liability attorney, our legal team is ready to help.
What Is Product Liability?
Product liability is the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers to ensure their products are safe for consumers. When a company puts a dangerous product on the market, and someone gets hurt, that company can be held liable for the injuries and damages that result.
Understanding Product Liability Law
Georgia law recognizes strict liability for defective products. This means you don’t have to prove the manufacturer was careless or negligent. You only need to show that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. The manufacturer is responsible regardless of how careful they were in making the product.
Three Types of Product Defects
Product defects fall into three main categories:
- Design defects
- Manufacturing defects
- Warning or Instruction Defects
Design Defects
Design Defects occur when the product is designed in an unsafe way. Even if the manufacturer made the product exactly as designed, the design itself creates an unreasonable risk of injury.
Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing Defects happen when something goes wrong during production. The product doesn’t match the manufacturer’s design, and this deviation makes it dangerous.
Warning or Instruction Defects
Warning or Instruction Defects exist when the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings about dangers. They also fail to give clear instructions for safe use. This includes cases where warnings are too small, unclear, or don’t adequately explain the risks.
Types of Defective Products We Handle
Defective products can cause serious injuries in almost any industry. We’ve handled cases involving vehicles and vehicle parts, household appliances, recreational equipment, industrial machinery, medical devices, and consumer products.
Our personal injury firm also handles mass tort cases where many people are injured by the same defective product. Our product liability law firm has the experience to handle even the most complex cases.
Products We’ve Represented Clients For
Our experience includes:
- Vehicles and vehicle components (defective brakes, steering systems, airbags, tires)
- Appliances and household products
- Recreational equipment and toys
- Industrial and construction equipment
- Medical devices and implants
- Medications and pharmaceutical products
- Consumer products of all types
If you’ve been injured by a product, we can evaluate whether you have a product liability claim in Augusta. Many injuries that seem like accidents are actually caused by defective products. Our Augusta product liability lawyers have helped numerous clients recover compensation for their injuries.
How Product Liability Claims Work
The four elements of a product liability claim are:
- Duty
- Breach
- Causation
- Damages
A successful product liability attorney will help you prove four key elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty
Duty means the manufacturer had a legal obligation to make a safe product. Every company that makes and sells products has this duty.
Breach
Breach means the product was defective. It had a design flaw, a manufacturing problem, or inadequate warnings. We gather evidence to show exactly how the product was defective.
Causation
Causation means the defect directly caused your injury. We work with medical experts and product experts to establish this connection clearly.
Damages
Damages are the losses you suffered. These include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other harms.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a product liability lawsuit. For property damage claims, you have four years. These deadlines are strict, so it’s important to contact an attorney quickly if you’ve been injured. An Augusta product liability lawyer can help you meet these important deadlines.
Our Investigation Process
Our investigation process includes several key steps:
- First, we gather the defective product and document your injuries with medical records.
- Next, we identify expert witnesses who can explain how the product was defective.
- We research the manufacturer’s history with similar defects.
- We investigate whether other people have been injured by the same product, which can strengthen your case.
Damages You Can Recover
Economic Damages
Product liability damages fall into several categories. Economic damages include all your financial losses: medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage. If your injury requires ongoing treatment, we calculate the cost of future medical care.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-financial harms. These damages recognize that serious injuries affect your quality of life in ways that go beyond medical bills.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are available in cases where the manufacturer’s conduct was particularly reckless or negligent. These damages punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future. For example, if a manufacturer knew about a dangerous defect but continued selling the product anyway, punitive damages may be appropriate.
Example: Defective Hip Implant Settlement
Our $250,000 settlement for the defective hip implant case illustrates how we value product liability claims. The client required surgery to remove and replace the defective implant. They incurred significant medical expenses and suffered pain and lost time from work. A product liability lawyer negotiated a settlement that fully compensated these damages.
Common Injuries from Defective Products
Defective products cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. Common injuries include:
- Burns from defective appliances or products that catch fire
- Fractures and broken bones from products that fail structurally
- Internal organ injuries from defective devices or products
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls caused by defective products
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
- Chemical burns from products with inadequate warnings
Our Catastrophic Injury Experience
We have extensive experience handling catastrophic injury cases. Our firm has recovered significant settlements for clients with serious, life-altering injuries. If you’ve suffered a serious injury from a defective product, we can help you pursue full compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a product liability case?
You may have a product liability case if you were injured by a product and the injury was caused by a defect in the product’s design, manufacturing, or warnings. The product doesn’t have to be brand new—defects can appear in products that have been used for a while. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation. We can evaluate whether you have a viable claim.
What is the statute of limitations for product liability claims in Georgia?
You have two years from the date of your injury to file a product liability lawsuit in Georgia. For property damage claims, you have four years. These deadlines are strict and cannot be extended in most cases. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, don’t wait to contact an attorney. The sooner we get involved, the better we can preserve evidence and build your case.
How much does it cost to hire a product liability lawyer?
Chris Hudson Law Group works on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover money for you. We advance all costs of the investigation and litigation. You don’t repay these costs unless we win. This arrangement allows injured people to pursue claims without worrying about legal fees. We offer free consultations to discuss your case.
What types of products can cause liability claims?
Almost any product can be the subject of a product liability claim if it’s defective and causes injury. We’ve handled cases involving vehicles, appliances, medical devices, medications, toys, tools, recreational equipment, and many other products. If you’ve been injured by a product, we can evaluate whether the manufacturer can be held liable.
How long does a product liability case take?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your case and whether the defendant is willing to settle. Some cases settle within months, while others require litigation that takes a year or more. We work efficiently to resolve your case. However, we never rush to accept an inadequate settlement. Our goal is to maximize your recovery, whether through settlement or trial.
Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?
Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule. Even if you were partially at fault for your injury, you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and the manufacturer was 80% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages. We evaluate your case carefully to determine liability and ensure you receive fair compensation.
What should I do if I’m injured by a defective product?
First, seek medical attention for your injuries. Then, preserve the defective product and any packaging or instructions that came with it. Take photographs of the product and your injuries. Write down details about what happened and when. Keep all medical records and receipts related to your injury. Finally, contact an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner we get involved, the better we can investigate your claim and preserve evidence.
Do I need an attorney to file a product liability claim?
Product liability cases are complex. They require expert testimony about how the product was defective. They also require an investigation into the manufacturer’s design and manufacturing processes. Additionally, you need an understanding of product liability law. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers defending these cases. You need experienced legal representation to ensure you receive fair compensation. Contact Chris Hudson Law Group for a free consultation to discuss your case with a product liability attorney.
Contact Chris Hudson Law Group Today
Get Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured by a defective product, don’t wait. The statute of limitations for product liability claims is only two years. Contact Chris Hudson Law Group today for a free consultation with an experienced product liability attorney.
How to Reach Us
Call (706) 863-6600 to speak with our team. Our lawyers serve clients throughout Augusta, Georgia, and the surrounding areas. We also have an office in Savannah. We work on contingency, so you don’t pay unless we recover money for you. Let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve.