Most consumers trust that authorities watch over manufacturers, which gives them the confidence that most products are safe for human consumption. Sadly, some manufacturers compromise on product safety, which poses a significant danger to their customers.
General Motors was one of the companies that made headlines in 2014, with several of its automobiles linked to 31 accidents due to faulty switches. Other firms that had to deal with multiple lawsuits for defective products include Blitz, McDonald’s, Takata, and more. Read on to get more insights about these companies.
Takata
Takata airbag recalls accounted for about 287.5 million items. The airbags manufacturer used ammonium nitrate as the propellant, which could quickly destabilize due to humidity or heat exposure. It caused the airbags to explode or deploy aggressively, thereby spraying metal shrapnel.
The airbag defects contributed to about 200 injures and 17 deaths, according to the NHTSA. It affected at least 40 million cars in the US since they were used by major brands such as:
- Toyota
- Subaru
- Mitsubishi
- Mazda
- BMW
- Ford
- Chrysler
Takata was instructed to pay about one billion dollars to compensate the injured drivers and automakers for their losses.
McDonald’s
The United States recorded one of the most popular product liability lawsuits against McDonald’s. Stella Liebeck claimed that she accidentally spilled the company’s coffee on her lower body. It resulted in third-degree burns on her legs, thighs, and groin area.
Her lawyer stated that McDonald’s coffee was at higher temperatures compared to other companies. The court ruled against McDonald’s, and Stella was compensated $160,000 to help her cover medical costs. She also received more than two million dollars in punitive damages. Notably, the company was aware that its coffee was capable of causing severe harm, but it did not act since victims were minimal.
Blitz
Some years back in the US, Blitz was the leading company in producing portable gas cans. However, in 2012, its consumers filed lawsuits against the firm because the cans would explode, leading to injuries. The affected victims filed at least 30 cases in one year, and Blitz had to pay about four million dollars for accrued damages in each claim. The compensation costs were too high for the company and it filed for bankruptcy. That said, Blitz eventually exited the market.
Monsanto
Monsanto is famous for its weed killer known as Roundup. Ever since the debut of the product, the company insisted that it was safe to use. However, customers who had used the chemical started to get cancer at an alarming rate. A study by the International Agency for Research in 2015 would then conclude that Roundup was carcinogenic.
Since then, Roundup customers have filed multiple claims against the manufacturer. Monsanto had to pay billions of dollars to compensate the affected victims. The company’s papers also showed the manufacturer knew the weed killer’s risks but chose to remain silent. When Bayer acquired Monsanto, they also paid more than $10 billion to affected customers.
General Motors
In 2014, General Motors had to recall its cars for faulty ignition switches. It could abruptly shut down the engine, which in turn disabled the brakes, airbags, and power steering without warning. As a result, GM had to pay up to $900 million in settlements and $870 million for injury and death claims.
Conclusion
Companies have the responsibility of ensuring that they provide safe products to their consumers. In case you or a friend has suffered injuries due to certain item defects, you can sue the manufacturer. You may get compensated for bodily harm that led to substantial financial losses. However, making big companies face the consequences requires you to hire a skilled lawyer to argue your case and ensure you receive the right settlement.
