Product Defect & Liability Attorneys in Liberty & Kansas City, Missouri
We expect the products we use every day to be safe. When manufacturers fail in the design, construction, or labeling of those products, the consequences can include severe injuries, catastrophic harm, or death.
When a defective product injures you or takes the life of someone you love, the manufacturer needs to be held accountable. At Dougherty & Holloway, our attorneys have more than 30 years of experience handling lawsuits related to defective products throughout Missouri and Kansas. We have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients harmed by products that should have been safe.
We understand the frustration and anger that comes with being injured by something you trusted. We are here to help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to.
Three Types of Product Defects
Product liability cases in Missouri generally fall into three categories:
Design Defects
occur when the product is inherently dangerous due to its design, even if it is manufactured correctly. The flaw exists in every unit produced.
Manufacturing Defects
occur when an error during the production process causes a specific product or batch to be dangerous, even though the design itself is sound.
Marketing Defects
involve a failure to provide adequate warnings, instructions, or safety information to the consumer. This includes missing labels, insufficient warnings about known risks, or misleading instructions for use.
Dougherty & Holloway has handled cases involving all three types of defects. We bring in qualified experts to examine the product, determine the nature of the defect, and establish proof of fault.
Products Involved in Cases We Have Handled
Vehicles & Equipment
- Automobiles and tires
- Motorcycles
- Trucks and truck components
- ATVs and boats
- Bicycles
- Tractors and farm equipment
- Heavy equipment including forklifts
Industrial & Household
- Power tools including nail guns, drill presses, and power saws
- Lawn mowers
- HVAC units
- Propane tanks
- Gas-powered machines (carbon monoxide risk)
- Chemicals, household and industrial
- Rope and straps
Consumer & Medical
- Firearms including BB guns and pellet guns
- Sporting equipment
- Food products
- Medical equipment
- Pharmaceuticals
- Power lines
- Grain elevator components
This list is not exhaustive. If you have been injured by any product you believe was defective, contact us to discuss your case.
How We Handle Your Product Defect Case
Preserve the Evidence
Time is critical in product defect cases. We request access to the defective product or the accident site immediately to prevent evidence from being lost, altered, or destroyed.
Bring In Experts
We work with qualified engineers, product safety specialists, and industry experts to examine the product, identify the defect, and determine how the failure occurred.
Identify All Responsible Parties
Product liability claims may involve manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or component suppliers. We investigate every link in the supply chain to find all sources of recovery available to you.
Pursue Full Compensation
We fight for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term costs related to your injuries. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
Product Defect FAQ
How do I know if I have a product liability case?
If you were injured while using a product as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable way, and the injury was caused by a defect in the product's design, manufacturing, or labeling, you may have a product liability claim. The best way to determine whether you have a case is to consult with an experienced attorney who can evaluate the facts.
Do I need to still have the defective product to file a claim?
Having the product is extremely helpful as it allows experts to examine it and identify the defect. However, even if the product has been discarded or destroyed, it may still be possible to pursue a claim using other evidence such as photographs, medical records, and witness testimony. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Who can be held liable in a product defect case?
Under Missouri law, liability may extend to any party in the chain of distribution, including the product designer, the manufacturer, a component parts supplier, the distributor, or the retailer that sold the product. Dougherty & Holloway investigates every potential source of liability to maximize your recovery.
Is there a time limit for filing a product liability claim in Missouri?
Missouri's statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally five years from the date of injury. However, there are circumstances that can affect this deadline, including when the injury was not immediately discovered. It is important to consult with an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Related Practice Areas
Request a free consultation or call (816) 891-9990.
About Dougherty & Holloway, LLC
Dougherty & Holloway, LLC is a personal injury law firm based in Liberty, Missouri, serving clients throughout Kansas City, Clay County, and the surrounding communities in Missouri and Kansas. Our partners, Ed Dougherty and Philip Holloway, bring more than 70 years of combined trial experience to every case we handle.
We focus exclusively on personal injury law, including car accidents, motorcycle wrecks, semi-truck collisions, traumatic brain injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall, nursing home abuse, product defect, construction site, highway and guardrail, and other personal injury claims. Every consultation is free and confidential, and we work on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Ed and Phil personally handle every case from intake through trial. You will never be passed off to a junior associate or a call center. To learn more, read who we are, review our verdicts and settlements, or contact us directly. You can also request a free consultation online or call (816) 891-9990.