Defective Consumer Products and Wrongful Deaths

Wrongful deaths caused by defective consumer products in Indiana and Kentucky are a significant problem. The states have experienced fatalities from faulty products such as appliances, electronics, children’s toys, and household chemicals. These wrongful deaths can occur due to inadequate product testing, manufacturing defects, or insufficient warnings of product hazards.

Nationally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that over 700 consumer product-related deaths occur each year across the U.S. One of the leading causes is electrocution from defective appliances and electronics. From 2018 to 2020, the average annual rate of electrocutions per 1 million people was 0.312, with middle-aged adults at the highest risk. These deaths often arise from issues such as faulty wiring in household appliances or malfunctioning power tools.

Kentucky & Indiana’s Stand On Wrongful Deaths Due to Defective Consumer Products

Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services has tracked injuries and deaths from consumer products for years. A particular focus has been on childhood injuries and poisonings from defective products like toys or household chemicals. For instance, in the early 2000s, over 8,400 children were poisoned annually due to exposure to harmful household chemicals, a key area of concern. Kentucky’s authorities have tried implementing prevention strategies, such as poison control education and heightened awareness about unsafe consumer products.

Indiana, like Kentucky, has witnessed consumer product-related fatalities, especially from improper use of household appliances or malfunctioning products. Similar to national trends, men are more likely than women to suffer fatal accidents due to product defects, particularly in incidents involving machinery or tools. Wrongful death claims surrounding these incidents often center on product liability, which holds manufacturers accountable for producing and distributing defective goods that cause death.

Both Indiana and Kentucky follow product liability laws, allowing individuals to pursue wrongful death lawsuits when a defective product results in a fatality. These cases can arise under theories of negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty, depending on the nature of the product defect and the circumstances surrounding the death. Victims’ families in Kentucky and Indiana may seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional distress.

Loss Resulting from Defective Consumer Products – What’s Next

Government agencies like the CPSC continuously work to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries caused by defective products by recalling dangerous items and raising public awareness. However, wrongful deaths due to defective consumer products remain a persistent issue.

Did you lose your loved one to a defective consumer product? Call Stein Whatley Astorino, PLLC, to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation. Our best Louisville wrongful death lawyers are available to answer your questions. 502.553.4750.

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