When you purchase a product from a reputable retailer and use it as instructed, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting hurt. Defective products stock the shelves every day, making them a leading cause of personal injury claims. If you incurred damages because of a defective product, here are a few steps that’ll help you build a strong claim against the liable designer, manufacturer, or retailer.

How to Build a Winning Personal Injury Claim Over a Defective Product 

1. Save the Item 

The product in question will serve as the strongest evidence of liability, so preserve it carefully. To prevent tampering with evidence, avoid touching it and put the product in a safe place where no one can access it. Save the instruction manual and original packaging and try to find the receipt detailing when and where you bought it.

2. Photograph Your Injuries 

Take clear photographs of any visible wounds right away. As long as the pictures are time-stamped, they’ll provide a direct link between your injuries and the incident in question. Images also serve as proof of damages and can help you negotiate a more favorable settlement.

3. Seek Medical Care

Even if the injuries aren’t life-threatening, it’s wise to visit a doctor shortly after the accident. Seeking immediate treatment will ensure you receive care for all injuries, including those with latent symptoms. Seeing a doctor also demonstrates that the injuries were serious enough to warrant medical attention, proving the damages.

4. Start a Personal Injury Journal 

Entries from your journal can help prove liability and damages. For the first entry, write down everything you remember about the accident. Then, use the journal to document the recovery process. These entries will be valuable when it comes to demonstrating non-monetary losses like pain and suffering.

If you want to file a product liability claim in Hawaii, contact the professionals at the Law Offices of Brian J De Lima in Hilo. For over 34 years, De Lima and his team have represented clients across the Big Island, providing legal counsel for cases in personal injury law, family law, and criminal defense. Send a message online to schedule an appointment, or call (808) 969-7707 to discuss your case.