Consumer products land millions of people in US emergency departments each year. In 2020 alone, 11 million individuals had to go to EDs for injuries resulting from the use of such items.
The thing is, many of those injuries were due to the products themselves. In short, they were malfunctioning right from the start.
The good news is that there are several ways to handle defective products. We’ve outlined them below, so be sure to keep reading.
- Fill Out an RMA Processing Form
RMA stands for return merchandise authorization. Businesses use it to track products returned by customers.
From there, merchants can assess the items to determine why clients returned them. They can then decide whether to refund, replace, or repair the product in question.
With that said, one way to deal with a defective product as a customer is to fill out an RMA processing form. However, you should only go with this method if the item simply wasn’t working and it didn’t harm you.
In any case, you can find most RMA forms on merchant or manufacturer websites. Make sure to give all relevant details about yourself and the faulty product you bought. Be sure to tell them what’s wrong with the product and what you want in return (e.g., refund or replacement).
- Seek Professional Medical Help
If a defective product injured or made you ill, it’s imperative to get medical help right away. That way, a doctor can treat your condition immediately and prevent it from worsening. Moreover, your attending physician will document the cause of your injury or illness.
You can then use those medical records later when you file a defective product claim or lawsuit.
On the other hand, failure to seek prompt medical help can get your case overturned. If you wait too long, the manufacturer may claim something else caused your condition. They may also allege your injury or illness worsened because you put off medical care.
- Get in Touch With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Federal courts process tens of thousands of product liability claims each month. As you can imagine, many of those are lawsuits for defective or dangerous products.
So if such products have harmed you in any way, it’s best to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. That way, your attorney can build your case and file a lawsuit on your behalf right away. Your legal team can then demand damages from negligent and liable defendants.
It’s vital to seek the help of a lawyer ASAP since there’s a deadline for filing defective product claims. In some states, that’s a year from the time of injury, while in others, it’s two years. While both may seem like ample time, remember: evidence can disappear or degrade in just a short time.
Report Defective Products Right Away
Sometimes, companies may only become aware of defective products when informed by consumers. That’s why it’s vital to let them know of a faulty item they sold or made. That way, they can take the proper steps to recall their problematic merchandise.
Besides, even if a defective product doesn’t harm you, it’s still a waste of your money. So, that should be enough reason to report it so that you can get a refund or a replacement.
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