Defective Pressure Washer Injury Accident Attorney

A pressure washer is a machine that cleans accumulated dirt, stains, and grime off a hard surface by forcing water through a pressurized nozzle. They are generally purchased or rented during the warmer months when people are able to stay outside and clean areas like driveways, decks, and patios. Pressure washers are also used by businesses to clean walkways, pillars, and many other areas of their property.

Frankly, pressure washers are fairly simple in design, and are often described as garden hoses on steroids. But that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. After all, these machines shoot out water at 30 to 80 times the pressure of a garden hose, meaning they must be used with caution. However, not all pressure washer injuries are caused by the user. Design flaws, low-quality parts, and other manufacturer defects can cause a pressure washer to fail and lead to accidents with devastating injuries.

Have you or a loved one been injured while using a defective pressure washer? If so, you must speak with a lawyer right away, who can advise you on your rights as an accident victim. California’s product liability laws allow you to sue a manufacturer if you were harmed by a defective product, but there are various elements you will need to prove in order to win your case. The lawyers of Normandie can help you gather the necessary evidence and fight for the damages you are entitled to. Please contact our office and speak to one of our attorneys during a free consultation.

What happens if you Hit Yourself with a Pressure Washer?

Hitting yourself with a pressure washer can result in serious wounds, such as lacerations and punctures to the skin. Eye damage is a common injury as well, to yourself as well as other that are standing nearby. These wounds may not appear that serious at first, which is why many people skip out on going to the doctor’s. This can increase a person’s risk of infection, which can lead to much more serious injuries, including disability and amputation.

Another potential injury involving pressure washers is electrical shock, which can happen from improper usage and not following safety instructions. However, a defect with the product can also lead to electrical shocks, which can cause brain injury, nerve damage, and breathing problems. These conditions, by the way, take time to develop, so you should not assume that you are fine just because your injuries don’t seem that serious.

The takeaway is, please seek medical attention right away if you’ve been injured by a defective pressure washer. Once you’ve been treated, contact our law firm to learn about your rights and legal options. You may have grounds to file a defective product claim against the manufacturer and any other responsible parties. But these cases are difficult to prove without help from a lawyer that’s experienced in product liability lawsuits. If you’re ready to explore the legal actions that are available to you, contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.

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Why do Pressure Washers Fail?

As with all mechanical equipment, there are many possibilities for why a pressure washer fails. Some defects are minor inconveniences, while others lead to serious, life-long injuries for the unsuspecting user. When these problems are caused by the manufacturer, seller, or marketer, one or more of these parties may be liable for any injuries that are caused by the product. However, liability in most of these cases can be traced back to the manufacturer, meaning the product’s defect was caused during the manufacturing process.

Pressure washer defects that are caused by the manufacturer include, but are not limited to:

• Faulty or insufficient hardware
• Design flaws with the wand, which can affect water pressure
• Faulty wiring that results in electrical shocks
• Nozzles that fall off during use
• Engine defects that can lead to CO2 poisoning (gas engines)
• Unclear or improper instructions
• Lack of safety warnings
• Defective safety latch (which prevents the machine from turning on accidentally)

One or more of these reasons may be the cause of your pressure washer injury. Or, maybe you were hurt from another issue altogether. Determining the root cause of your accident is critical to receiving compensation for your physical and emotional damages. Our lawyers can evaluate your accident and advise you on the best course of action for your injury case.

Can I sue the Manufacturer for a Pressure Washer Injury?

You can sue the manufacturer for your pressure washer injury if a defect with the machine occurred during the manufacturing process. California operates under the strict liability system, so you do not have to prove negligence or a deliberate action by the manufacturer to seek monetary damages. However, you will need to show that your accident was the direct result of a defect with the product. Additionally, you must prove that you suffered a range of damages from your accident, and that monetary compensation is required as a result of these damages. All these elements will be difficult for the average consumer to prove, which is why a lawyer is highly recommended.

As for what type of lawsuit you can file, that’s something you will also need to discuss with an attorney. If, for example, you’ve been injured by a recalled pressure washer, you may have the option to file a class action lawsuit. This type of legal action is filed by multiple plaintiffs who have all suffered similar injuries from the same product. But you can also choose to file a lawsuit on your own, which may be more appropriate depending on the details of your accident. The important thing is to make an informed choice after learning about each of these options.

Our lawyers will be happy to address your questions and concerns during a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Steps to take if you’ve been Injured by a Pressure Washer

Even if you have the right to sue, it’s important to take the right steps after your accident if you’ve been injured by a defective pressure washer. Taking the wrong steps can invalidate your right to monetary compensation, so please take the following actions right after your accident:

• First and foremost, seek medical attention.
• Take photos or video of your injuries and the accident scene.
• Do not try to fix or remove the damaged pressure washer.
• Report the accident to the manufacturer.
• Don’t agree to return the product for a refund.
• Don’t agree to a repair or inspection of the pressure washer.
• Refuse to give a recorded statement or sign anything without speaking to a lawyer.
• Collect physical evidence of your accident, like medical bills, proof of lost wages, and statements from witnesses.
• Get legal advice from a personal injury attorney.

These steps will lay the foundation for a defective product claim, but there’s much more that has to take place in order to ensure a successful outcome. Our lawyers are here to guide you through the entire process, so please give us a call if you’re ready to learn more about your legal options.

Damages from a Defective Product Accident Lawsuit

If you have been injured by a defective pressure washer, there are many types of compensation you may be eligible to receive in a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Here is a list of the basic damages that we typically recover on behalf of our clients:

• Cost of medical treatments
• Cost of therapy for emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages / lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Legal fees

As we’ve stated, this is just a basic list, as each victim’s accident and personal circumstances are unique. Additionally, some accidents may have been caused by gross negligence, which refers to especially outrageous conduct by a manufacturer. For example, if the manufacturer was well aware of the product’s defect and deliberately chose to hide that fact in spite of multiple injury complaints, that may be seen as an act of gross negligence. In such cases, the victim may be awarded punitive damages as a way to punish the defendant and deter other manufacturers from engaging in similar conduct.

Our experienced lawyers can investigate your case and ensure that you receive all the damages you deserve from the responsible party.

Schedule a Free Consultation

As an injury victim, it can be hard to figure out what you should do or who you should turn to. A lawyer can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need for your injuries. Unfortunately, many victims choose to go without legal representation, and as a result, they are cheated out of the funds they deserve for their physical and emotional pain.

If legal fees are holding you back from calling us, that’s one thing you won’t have to worry about, since we offer a Zero fee guarantee. What does that mean for you? You pay absolutely nothing to hire one of our attorneys, no matter how much work is needed on your claim. The only way we get paid is by winning your case, and if we don’t win, you won’t have to pay us a single penny of our legal fees. That’s how much we believe in our clients and our ability to recover the settlement they’re entitled to.

Our lawyers look forward to advising you during a free consultation. To get started on a compensation claim, contact our office and speak to a defective pressure washer accident attorney.

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