With the harsh winter weather here in Indianapolis, it’s likely that many of you are reaching for your warming blankets when at home or even sitting in the office. While these heating pads and warming blankets are great for keeping us warm, they can also be extremely dangerous when they are defective or malfunction while in use.

Recently, there are have been many product liability and defective product cases brought out against manufacturers of warming blankets—proving that it is not only possible to be injured by a warming blanket, but it’s possible to be injured so badly that a lawsuit is needed to help pay for medical bills.

The most common type of injury involving warming blankets is severe burns. Often these burns are caused by:

• • Leaving the warming blanket at a high setting for too long
  • A defective product where the blanket heats up to a dangerous temperature
  • Many blankets have a shut off timer when the blanket gets too hot—if this is damaged or defective it can lead to severe burns
  • Falling asleep with the blanket at a dangerous temperature
  • Faulty fabrics that do not facilitate the heat on skin correctly
  • A faulty blanket causing a fire or fire hazard when turned on

What Can I Do if I’m Injured by a Warming Blanket?

If you or a loved one was injured, or even died, after using a warming blanket, you should hire a product liability attorney as soon as possible to start your case. There are two main reasons that a warming blanket would lead to a lawsuit:

1.    Labeling Defect: This occurs when a manufacturer fails to label their product correctly and in turn, leads to injury to the consumer. With warming and electric blankets, this could mean failure to inform consumers of risks and dangers associated with the blankets or failure to let customers know that the blanket should not be left at a high setting for long periods of time.

2.    Product Defect: This occurs when there is a defect in the making of the actual product. This could mean any aspect of the blanket not working properly, whether it is the fabrics used, the thermometer settings or the heating element itself. If you suffer an injury because of these defects, you should hold the manufacturer liable for their negligence.

If either of these situations happened to you, an attorney can help you enter into a product liability case, where you can seek compensation for any pain and suffering you experienced due to the defective product. At Stewart & Stewart, we understand how frustrating a case like this can be—you never expect to be hurt or burned by a product only meant to keep you comfortable during colder months. Our team of experienced attorneys is ready to help you hold the negligent manufacturer responsible and get the compensation you deserve after an injury, burn or death. For more information, contact us today at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.

The use of e-cigarettes and vaporizes is widespread throughout the country. In fact, wherever you look, it can be hard not to find someone puffing from a device that releases nicotine in the form of vapor. With their huge popularity, it may be hard to fathom that e-cigs were only first introduced for sale in the United States in 2007—just a little over a decade for their popularity to increase throughout every state.

Due to their quick increase in popularity, the FDA was unable to keep up with demand and for a while, e-cigs were released and sold without any guidelines or regulations attached to them. Because of this, many people are suffering from intense injuries and even death after using e-cigs and vapes that had faulty batteries and bad equipment. As more and more people were injured or dying from the use of e-cigs, states began to realize the need for more regulation.

Just a few years ago, a decade after the e-cigs were released, states began enacting laws that banned or limited the use of e-cigs in certain places. Across the world, the regulation on e-cigs vary. Some countries and states within the U.S. have banned devices entirely, while others have limited them or introduced no regulations at all. In 2016, we saw the first widespread regulation when the use of e-cigs were banned on airplanes in the United States. That same year, the FDA mandated that e-cigs be regulated the same as all other Tabaco products.

Still, though, it is up to each state to determine their laws regarding vaping and e-cigarettes. Here in Indiana, Indianapolis has banned all enclosed workplaces from using e-cigarettes. This includes bars and restaurants, so yes, it is legal for a restaurant to tell you to leave if you are using one of these devices or to ban them from use entirely while in their place of business. Similarly, in Greenwood, there has been a ban on e-cigs in all enclosed workplaces, but this does not include bars and restaurants, so you can smoke your device if in that area.

Other areas of Indiana do not have regulations set in terms of smoking e-cigs, but they do regulate the way they are marketed and sold. Throughout the state, the sale of any type of e-cig is illegal to anyone under 18 and a company must have a license and permit before selling any type of e-cigarette. As of now, there is no special tax on e-cigs in Indiana.

But, just because there are little to no regulations in the state for e-cigs does not mean that those injured by the devices do not have grounds to file a lawsuit against the manufactures who make them. E-cigs pose a great risk of injury due to devices often overheating and exploding in hands, pockets and mouths. E-cig users have reported second and third-degree burns, loss of limbs and even death after using an e-cigarette or vape.

If you have been injured or a loved one has died because of an e-cigarette, you deserve to be compensated. At Stewart & Stewart, we know what it takes to get our clients the money they deserve after using a defective or unsafe product, and we will work hard to get that for you. For more information, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website today.

E-cigarettes have only been around a short time compared to regular cigarettes, but their popularity has grown rapidly. As vaping becomes a regular occurrence in all areas, including places where smoking is banned, there has been an increase in the number of injuries associated with e-cigarettes as well.

An e-cigarette encompasses a variety of different devices, from vaporizers to mods. In short, any device that delivers nicotine is technically an e-cigarette, but most will come in the form of a battery-powered handheld that delivers nicotine through a vapor. Because of the vapor, many e-cigarette users believe that they are safer than the average cigarette. Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence supporting this claim. What we do know, though, is that these e-cigarettes may not pose a greater risk to our organs, but they do pose a greater risk for our well-being.

As more people have latched on to e-cigarette use, there have been more instances of injury, from devices blowing up in people’s hands and mouths and causing serious harm or even death.

Safety Regulations

As of right now, there are no federal standards or laws in place for e-cigarettes. Some states have recently begun to place bans on where you can smoke, but overall, there is no regulation as to how an e-cig or vape is made. Because of this, many companies have resorted to using cheap batteries that explode when they get too hot—something that should be of high concern when used for something like a vape pen.

Many e-cigarette brands have also been targeting teens and younger generations, which has caused a recent push for the FDA to regulate the ads and marketing tactics associated with e-cigs.

Overall, though, each time you use an e-cig, you are putting yourself at risk. Without any real guidelines in place, many people could be using faulty pens, vapes or e-cig devices without knowing and if their device should explode or malfunction, the results can be life-threatening.

Accidents Associated with E-Cigs

A large majority of the accidents associated with the use of e-cigs are explosion and fire related. Many claimants have reported their devices spontaneously blowing up while in their purse, pocket, or worse, their mouths. The injuries that occur can range from second and third-degree burns, chemical burns, and temporary vision loss to smoke inhalation, loss of fingers or limbs and even death.

Many victims of e-cig explosions end up in the hospital and require intense surgeries such as skin grafts, reconstructive work, and more. A number of unfortunate e-cig accidents have even left people in medically-induced comas.

What to Do If Injured by an E-Cig

If you do find yourself injured by your e-cigarette or vaporizer, be sure to get medical help right away. Once your injuries are tended to, your next step is to contact an attorney. Without set guidelines in place, filing a lawsuit against an e-cig or vape brand can be difficult and it takes an experienced e-cig attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.

There are many reasons someone may want to file a lawsuit against an e-cig or vaporizer company. Injuries can lead to large medical bills, time off work and even death. In addition to personal injuries, e-cigs can also damage property should they explode and lead to prolonged health issues from the chemicals inhaled. If you want to file a lawsuit against an e-cigarette or vaporize brand after an injury, contact Stewart & Stewart today to learn more about how we can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve. For more information, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website today.

When you buy a product at the store, you assume that it will not only work correctly but will not harm or injure you in any way. Unfortunately, products injuring consumers is an all-too-common occurrence that most of us cannot avoid. From big manufactures failing to warn consumers of potential dangers to manufacturing plants creating faulty equipment, there are many ways you can be hurt by a product.

Some of the most popular defective product cases involve large companies and corporations and a large number of people who were hurt or fell ill after using their product. But, those aren’t the only defective product cases there are. Many consumers may be singularly hurt by an item when they receive a faulty product or are not properly warned of the dangers of using a product when having a certain illness or taking other medications.

While any type of product can hurt or injure you, it’s important for all consumers to be aware of the most common defective products out there so they can be on the lookout and avoid potential harm.

Medical Devices

Medical devices are widely used to help people live longer, fuller lives. But with the influx of medical devices being used, we have also seen an increase in harm due to a device. Most consumers are familiar with complications due to transvaginal mesh and metal hip replacements.

Auto Parts

During the car manufacturing process, there are many details that can go wrong. From entire models being made poorly to faulty parts passing inspection and making it into the market, many people find themselves suffering from accidents and injuries at the hands of an otherwise safe mode of transportation. Common cases often include faulty airbags and defective tires.

Children’s Toys

Quite possibly the most concerning one on this list, children’s toys pose a great risk to consumers. Whether a toy is a choking hazard and does not warn parents or the chemicals used to create the toy are dangerous to children of a certain age, parents everywhere should take caution when a lawsuit concerning a toy or baby product comes out and be aware of the items they buy their kids.

Prescription Drugs

While it may seem bizarre, many drugs currently on the market have actually not been put through enough testing to ensure their safety to the public. Often, a company will release a drug to consumers without knowing all of the potential risks, causing patients to be harmed or contract serious health issues.

Chemicals and Materials

From Roundup Ready Weedkiller causing cancer to industrial equipment causing Mesothelioma, lawsuits for chemicals causing harm are long and vast. Putting harmful chemicals in things like paint can cause consumers to be unknowingly exposed and put them at risk for major health problems and even death.

If you have experienced an injury or contracted a health problem after using a defective product, you need an experienced attorney on your side to help you fight this battle. The attorneys at Stewart & Stewart are experienced in defective products and know what it takes to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. For more information about how we can help you with your defective product claim, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.

When we purchase a product in a store, we expect that product to only work but to be a safe item to use. But what can we do if a product we buy ends up hurting us and causing life-altering injuries instead? This type of case is called product liability and involves a defective product hurting a consumer due to negligence of the manufacturer or seller of the item.

There are many different ways a product can be deemed defective. They could be designed incorrectly, have manufacturing defects or failed to warn or label the product correctly. Products can range from prescription medication to car parts, food items, and more. Common examples of defective products include an air bag that is manufactured incorrectly and fails to protect or even harm an individual after an accident occurs, or a drug not listing all of the warnings and risks associated with taking it, and in turn, resulting in damage to the user.

If you are injured by a defective product, there are steps you should take to ensure you get compensated for your injuries.

Stop Using the Product

If you become aware that your airbags are defective, yet continue to drive your car, you could be jeopardizing your case. No matter what the product is, stop using it as soon as you realize it is defective.

See a Doctor

Some defective product injuries will likely result in a trip to the emergency room. But for those products that may not cause that serious of harm, you should still go see a doctor. Explain all of your symptoms and/or injuries and how they relate to the defective product. Be sure to get a copy of your medical records, including any treatment plans you are put under to further prove your claim.

Gather Evidence

As soon as you are injured, take photos of your injuries to prove that they existed and immediately secure the product away into a place where it won’t be touched. If there was someone else who witnessed your injury, ask them to write down their statement and gather their contact information. Your attorney will use this information to further prove that your injury was directly caused by the defective product.

Hire an Attorney

Often, product liability cases can be difficult as it can be hard to prove that a certain product was the direct result of your injury. Having an experienced defective product attorney on your side can help you prove negligence and get you compensation.

If you were injured by a product, you need a defective product attorney on your side to help prove your case and get you the compensation you deserve. For more information about how Stewart & Stewart can help you with your defective product claim, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.

If you’ve been injured by a product you’ve purchased, you are likely a victim of a defective product. When you purchase a product, you have certain rights as a consumer, mainly that you remain safe while that product is being used. In fact, product manufacturers, designers and distributors are legally obligated in the United States to ensure that products released onto the market do not pose an unreasonable risk of injury to consumers. When a company fails provide products that are safe to use for consumers, they can hurt many people and run the risk of a defective product lawsuit

There are many different factors that can determine a product defective, all relating to some sort of negligence, whether the manufacturer did not create the product correctly, the label was wrong or the product was sold unintentionally or in the wrong manner. Most legal claims about defective products involve one of the following:

• Failure to Warn: The manufacturer did not include adequate warnings about the potential dangers of using the item.
• Marketing Misrepresentation: The sellers did not provide instructions or warnings about how to use the product, or they misrepresent how the item should be used.
• Design Defect: The very design or nature of the product itself is unreasonably dangerous and poses a threat to the consumer or user.
• Manufacturer Defect: Something went wrong during the assembly which causes the product to fail or pose a threat to the consumer.

Defective Product Lawsuit

If you were injured by a product, you deserve to be compensated for any injuries you sustained. To prove that you were injured by a product, you must prove that your injury was directly caused by the product, which requires medical records and evidence in the form of photos.

You will also need to prove the product was defective. This part can get tricky and an experienced attorney is often needed to help determine this. If the product in question was being used as it was intended and the defect directly caused the injury, then you will have a strong case to be made against the responsible party.

If you were injured by a product, you need a defective product attorney on your side to help prove your case and get you the compensation you deserve. For more information about how Stewart & Stewart can help you with your defective product claim, give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.