People have been facing the negative effects of products manufactured by big companies for ages. There was a time when daily use of products caused serious problems for its users, but they could not take any action about it. Luckily, we live in a time where we can actually do something about it.
The laws established around product liability help victims hold companies, manufacturers, etc., responsible for the damages. However, filing a product liability claim is not necessarily a walk in the park.
The victim will need solid evidence if they were to file a case against a company that failed to provide proper guidance on the safe and proper method to use product.
This blog explores the Grazier v. Snap-On Corp. product liability case.
Background of the Case
Charles Grazier, an automotive technician and assistant manager based in Chester, New York, was trying to move a tool case made by Snap On Tools Corp. The company was founded in 1920, its first product being a set of 5 handles and 10 sockets, revolutionizing the industry. However, when the 31-year-old Grazier was moving their toolcase, an attachable side-mounted toolbox from the same company snapped off, severely injuring his right hand.
After being injured by a dangerous product, Grazier hired John Tackach as his attorney at the Newburgh law firm of Larkin Ingrassia, PLLC, who presented the case in court.
Legal Issues in the case
Filing a case requires legal grounds, just as Tackach stated that Snap On Tools Corp. was negligent. Negligence in product liability cases can be established in 3 ways:
- Design Defect: Under product liability negligence law, a company can be held liable if the design of its product (before it has been manufactured) is flawed. Regarding the Grazier v. Snap-On Corp. case, a company engineer states that the attachable box is supposed to be bolted to the main box. However, the plaintiff rebuts that the main kit lacked drill holes to justify the defense’s statements.
- Manufacturing Defect: Under product liability negligence law, a company can be held liable if something goes wrong during the manufacturing of the product. This type of negligence can also be applied to the Grazier v. Snap-On Corp. case, on one hand, the manufacturers are required to properly test their products, which they seem to have failed to do; on the other hand, if the product was supposed to be bolted down, the manufacturers failed to provide the drill holes.
- Marketing Defect: Under product liability negligence law, a company can be held liable if it failed to provide warnings, instructions, or if the product marketing was misleading. In the case of the Grazier v. Snap-On Corp. lawsuit, the company can be held liable for not giving proper instructions to attach the toolbox; Tackach also states that the attachment was supposed to snap on, claiming the marketing to be misleading.
Damages and Outcome of the Case
Under product liability law, a victim is eligible to seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. After hearing both sides’ statements, the jury held the company liable for the damages faced by Grazier, awarding the plaintiff with the compensation of $162,000.
Importance of a Lawyer in Handling Liability Cases
All victims who plan to file product liability claims need to have an experienced lawyer, such as Grazier, who had Tackach. Here is how a lawyer can make the product liability claim process easier:
- Identifying Liable Parties: The entity that sells, manufactures, and markets the product need not be the same. A lawyer can help determine who needs to be held liable.
- Establishing Liability: A lawyer can help to determine and prove the defendant’s liability by procuring the necessary evidence.
- Gathering Evidence: Evidence is required to prove all the losses the victim has faced. A lawyer can procure and maintain a detailed record to ensure fair compensation.
- Legal Representation: A lawyer can represent their client during negotiations and court proceedings so the process does not cause further damage.
