Suffering an injury from a defective or hazardous product can turn your life upside down. Medical expenses stack up, lost wages create financial stress, and the road to recovery can feel uncertain. If you or someone you care about has been injured by a faulty product in Las Vegas, you don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. At Valiente Mott, our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers are here to ease your burdens while working relentlessly to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Las Vegas product liability lawyer and take the first step toward your recovery.
Meet the Attorneys
Michael S. Valiente
Founder & Attorney
Mike Valiente understands the importance of exceptional client service, a lesson he learned after a personal car accident where he received poor legal representation. Determined to provide a better experience for his clients, Mike co-founded Valiente Mott with a focus on helping injury victims, not insurance companies. After earning top honors in law school, Mike defended major insurance companies before shifting his focus to personal injury law. His experience and dedication have earned him a reputation as one of Las Vegas’ leading attorneys, with most of his clients coming through referrals from other professionals and satisfied clients. Mike is fluent in Spanish and licensed in Nevada and California.
To learn more about Michael Valiente and his values, watch the video below:
Timothy A. Mott
Founder & Attorney
Tim Mott, a proud Las Vegas native from a long line of Nevada residents, is deeply committed to serving his community. As a personal injury lawyer, Tim has tried several cases to verdict and has never lost a trial, earning him recognition as one of Nevada’s top legal professionals. Known for his dedication to representing injury victims over powerful corporations, Tim takes great pride in his work and receives most of his cases through referrals from fellow attorneys and satisfied clients. A magna cum laude graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law, Tim is licensed to practice in Nevada, Utah, and Washington.
To learn more about Tim Mott and his values, watch the video below:
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us
“If one needs peace of mind when faced with a legal case, Valiente Mott Injury Attorneys is the place to go”
Kudos to Mr. Timothy Mott for having such a great team, his professional charisma and dignity are outstanding.
We highly recommend them, thank you for everything
Alexandra V. | Google Review
“I would strongly recommend giving them a call if you’ve been in an accident no matter how big or small!!”
Cindy | Google Review
“I couldn’t recommend them enough”
Benjamin B. | Google Review
Why Hire Valiente Mott For Your Product Liability Case?
When you’ve been injured by a defective product, the right legal team can make all the difference in securing the compensation you deserve. Here’s why Valiente Mott is the right choice for your product liability case:
- No Fees Unless We Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. We believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of pursuing justice.
- Dedicated to Your Best Outcome: We don’t settle for quick, low-value resolutions just to close a case. If taking your case to trial is the best way to secure fair compensation, we are ready to fight for you every step of the way.
- Honesty and Integrity: At Valiente Mott, integrity is at the core of our practice. We provide honest, clear assessments of your case—no exaggerations or sugar-coating. You’ll always know where you stand, and we’ll act with your best interests in mind.
If you’re ready to take action on your product liability claim, contact Valiente Mott today to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the justice—and the compensation—you deserve.
How an Attorney Can Help You With a Product Liability Case
Navigating a product liability case can be overwhelming without professional guidance. An experienced attorney can provide crucial support to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. Here’s how a lawyer can assist you:
- Comprehensive Case Evaluation and Evidence Gathering: A skilled product liability lawyer will investigate the defective product to identify how it caused your injury. This includes gathering crucial evidence, consulting with industry experts, and reviewing the product’s design, manufacturing, and marketing to build a strong, compelling case for you.
- Handling Legal Complexities and Negotiations: Product liability laws are complex and can vary by jurisdiction. A lawyer understands these nuances and will navigate the legal system for you, handling all paperwork, filings, and court procedures correctly and on time. They will also negotiate with insurance companies and the opposing party to seek a fair settlement.
- Maximizing Your Compensation: An attorney knows the full extent of damages you may be entitled to, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. They will work diligently to calculate these damages accurately and strive to maximize your compensation. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, they are prepared to take your case to trial to fight for the justice you deserve.
Having a product liability attorney at your side can significantly impact the success of your case. Contact Valiente Mott today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
Types of Product Liability Claims
When a defective product causes injury or harm, understanding the type of product liability claim relevant to your situation is essential. Product liability law generally recognizes three main types of claims:
Design Defects
A design defect occurs when a product is inherently unsafe due to its design, regardless of how well it is manufactured. In other words, the product’s blueprint itself is flawed and poses a risk to users. For example, a car model that has a high center of gravity and a narrow wheelbase, making it prone to rollovers, would be considered a design defect. To prove a design defect, it must be shown that a safer and economically feasible alternative design was available, and that the failure to adopt this design made the product unreasonably dangerous. These cases often require expert testimony and an in-depth analysis of the product’s design process.
Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing defects arise when a product deviates from its intended design during production, making it more dangerous than expected. This could happen due to subpar materials, assembly errors, or poor workmanship. An example of a manufacturing defect might be a batch of medication contaminated during the packaging process, leading to harmful side effects. To succeed in a manufacturing defect claim, you must prove that the defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control and directly caused your injury. In this case, the focus is on the specific product that caused harm, not the entire product line.
Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)
Marketing defects, also known as failure to warn claims, involve products that carry risks that aren’t immediately obvious to the consumer, and the manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions. This could include inadequate safety warnings, unclear usage instructions, or the failure to disclose potential risks. For example, a cleaning product that doesn’t include proper warnings about its toxic nature if inhaled or ingested would be a marketing defect. In these cases, you must show that the manufacturer knew or should have known about the risk and failed to adequately warn consumers, leading to injury. The effectiveness of the warnings and instructions provided is critical in establishing liability.
Common Defective Products in Product Liability Cases
Defective products can range from everyday household items to specialized industrial equipment. Below are some categories where product flaws most frequently emerge
- Household Appliances: Things like microwaves, coffee makers, and space heaters can become fire or shock hazards if they have faulty wiring or inadequate safety features. Even a minor defect can expose users to significant danger.
- Motor Vehicles and Parts: Cars, trucks, or motorcycles with faulty brakes, or malfunctioning airbags can lead to accidents and serious injuries. Manufacturers and parts suppliers could both share liability if a part fails.
- Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals: Hip implants, surgical mesh, and medications can harm patients if they are not adequately tested or contain undisclosed side effects. Patients may suffer complications that require invasive procedures to correct.
- Children’s Toys and Products: Toys with small, detachable parts or high lead content can pose choking hazards or toxic exposure risks for young kids. Parents rely on proper testing and labeling to keep their children safe.
Recognizing the type of product that caused your injury helps determine the appropriate legal strategy and identifies the parties potentially responsible for the defect.
Common Injuries Cause by Defective Products
Even a simple product malfunction can lead to serious harm if it’s not built or tested properly. Below are some of the most frequent types of injuries that occur when a product is defective:
- Burns and Scalds: People can suffer burns from overheating devices, faulty electrical wiring, or mislabeled chemicals. The intensity of these burns can vary from mild to severe and often requires medical intervention.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Equipment like defective ladders or tools can give way unexpectedly, causing falls that result in fractures and breaks. In some cases, these injuries can lead to long-term mobility issues.
- Cuts or Lacerations: Defective products can lead to deep cuts or puncture wounds. These injuries might require stitches or surgery if nerves or tendons are damaged.
- Internal Injuries: Sometimes, defective products can eject small parts or chemicals that create internal damage if ingested or inhaled. These can range from organ damage to poisoning, depending on the product involved.
If you’ve been injured by a defective product, understanding the extent of your injuries and their potential long-term effects is key to building a strong product liability claim. Contact Valiente Mott to speak with an experienced Las Vegas product liability lawyer who can help guide you through the legal process.
Evidence Used in Product Liability Cases
In a product liability case, gathering strong evidence is crucial to proving how the defective product caused your injury. The right evidence can come from various sources, including details about the product’s design, manufacturing process, and marketing practices. Below are some common types of evidence used in product liability cases:
Product Design and Manufacturing Records
Design plans, schematics, and internal memos about material choices are essential in identifying design flaws or substandard materials. Manufacturing records can show if there were any issues during production, such as repairs or failures in the assembly process, which could point to defects present before the product was sold.
History of Complaints or Recalls
Evidence of past complaints, recalls, or safety notices can demonstrate that the manufacturer was aware of the potential risks but failed to address them. This may include publicized repair programs, recalls listed on the company’s website, or customer service records. A pattern of repeated issues suggests a systemic problem with the product, not just an isolated defect.
Expert Testimony and Reports
Expert witnesses, including engineers, scientists, or medical professionals, can provide technical insight into how the defect caused the accident. Their analysis might involve lab tests, reviewing incident data, or evaluating the product’s design to identify flaws. Courts give substantial weight to expert testimony when supported by objective data.
Marketing Materials and Warnings
In some product liability cases, whether or not the manufacturer provided adequate warnings about the product’s dangers is key. Attorneys may examine marketing materials, labels, and user manuals to determine if the manufacturer clearly disclosed hazards. If risks were downplayed or omitted, it strengthens the case that the company failed to properly warn consumers.
Strict Liability vs. Negligence
Product liability claims can be based on theories of strict liability or negligence, though most are based on strict liability. Under strict liability, manufacturers and sellers can be held liable for defective products regardless of intent or level of care exercised. Negligence claims require proving that the manufacturer or seller failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacturing, or warning about the product. Understanding the difference between strict liability and negligence impacts how a case is argued and the evidence required. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, the most important step you can take is to reach out to a product liability lawyer as soon as possible.
Defenses Used in Product Liability Cases
When a consumer files a product liability lawsuit, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can raise several defenses to try to avoid or reduce their liability. Below are some of the most common tactics these parties might use:
Arguing No Defect
Companies may argue that the product was free from flaws and worked as intended. They could suggest the plaintiff misused or improperly maintained the product, instead of there being a defect. This defense often involves expert analysis or evidence of product testing to show the item performed correctly when used in the recommended way.
Comparative or Contributory Negligence
In some states, a defendant can claim that the injured person’s own actions partially caused the injury – like ignoring a safety warning, modifying the product, or disregarding clear instructions. If the defendant can prove the plaintiff shares some fault, it may reduce the amount of damages the plaintiff can receive.
Assumption of Risk
Manufacturers might argue that the customer knowingly used a product in a risky or unusual manner, accepting any potential dangers. For example, using a power tool labeled for professional use without following the provided guidelines. If it’s shown that the consumer was aware of the risks, this defense can limit liability.
Expiration of Statutes of Limitations
Product liability claims must be filed within a fixed timeframe, known as the statute of limitations. In Nevada, this is four years in most cases. If the plaintiff waits too long, the defendant can try to have the case dismissed. If you’ve been injured by a defective product and believe one or more of these defenses might apply, contact a product liability lawyer to better understand your options.
Contact Valiente Mott To Schedule a Free Consultation
Navigating product liability law can be daunting, especially when you’re recovering from an injury caused by a defective product. Determining the right type of claim and how to pursue the compensation you deserve can be complex. You don’t have to face this challenge alone. Reach out to Valiente Mott today to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced Las Vegas product liability attorneys are here to provide the guidance you need and fight for your rights every step of the way.
