Defective Products

When a defective product causes an injury, determining who is liable can be a complicated matter. Manufacturers, marketers, retailers, designers, and others that play a role in getting products to consumers may bear some responsibility. Product liability lawsuits allow injured consumers to seek compensation from those whose negligence or actions played a role in the production of a defective product that wound up in the hands of consumers.

A product defect may occur in the design, manufacture, or marketing of a product. 

Potentially-hazardous products require adequate labeling with warnings or specifications for use in order to protect consumers. Failure to provide this labeling can be costly for product promoters, sellers, or distributors.

Accident injury victims may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other accrued damages that come as a result of using a defective product.

Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide used in commercial agricultural applications. This chemical compound is sold as a liquid in different concentrations. Paraquat has been sold in the United States since the 1960s and is still one of the most frequently used herbicides worldwide. Due to Paraquat’s toxicity, only licensed commercial applicators may purchase and use the herbicide in the US. Even still, residential use continues to occur, as do dangerous, even lethal exposures to the chemical compound.

Paraquat ingestion leads to severe chemical reactions in major bodily organs, resulting in kidney, liver, heart, and respiratory failure. This acute toxic exposure is usually fatal. For those who experience prolonged, non-acute exposure due to handling Paraquat in the agricultural workplace setting, developing Parkinson’s Disease is a very serious risk. 

While it is still quite early in Paraquat litigation, 2022 has already proven to be a year of rapid developments. Between March and April of 2022, Paraquat lawsuits filed in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) have risen from 688 to 982 suits - and counting. A group of 16 cases were also chosen for bellwether test trials scheduled for November of this year. There is evidence that Syngenta, a manufacturer of Paraquat, was aware of links between this toxic compound and Parkinson’s Disease but chose not to reveal it. 

It is our hope that as the MDL continues to grow, large settlements will soon come through for the plaintiffs in this litigation. If you were exposed to Paraquat and developed Parkinson’s Disease - even decades after exposure - you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. We can help. 

At Cooney & Conway we represent individuals who have been injured as a result of using dangerous and unsafe products. Some common types of products that may have harmful defects include:

• Heavy machinery
• Electrical equipment
• Medical devices
• Hip implants
• Knee replacements
• Automobiles (including brakes, axels, wheels, fuel systems, tires, and ignition modules)
• Pharmaceuticals
• Recreational products

Cooney & Conway assists injured individuals with bringing claims against tortious parties, with the goal of fair compensation for their injuries. Our lawyers have been representing individuals severely injured by unsafe products for over 60 years.

Meet Our Experienced Defective Products Attorneys at Cooney & Conway

If you or a loved one encountered a product that caused an injury or death, a serious injury attorney at Cooney & Conway can help to recover damages resulting from a product’s defect. Contact us through the contact information form located on this page, or call toll free at 800-322-5573 to set up a free consultation to discuss your legal options with an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer.

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