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What to Know (And What to Do) If a Consumer Product Does Not Work as Advertised

The vast majority of the billions of products that are sold to consumers each year work well and don’t have any significant issues. Occasionally, however, there is some sort of defect or misrepresentation that can put you at risk or cause the product to not function as it should. If you have purchased a consumer product that did not function as advertised, it is important that you know what to do. Of course, the first step should be to seek the appropriate medical attention if you have been injured.  In addition, you may want to contact the company to see if they will replace the product if its under warranty or other repair contract.  After that, follow these tips to ensure you are able to address your concern with the offending company.

Save Everything

You want to make sure you save everything that has anything to do with the product. This includes things like the product, packaging, instructions, pieces (if it is broken), any warning labels that are on or came with the product, and more. In addition, gather together any receipts or records that document the defect, injury or lack of functionality. It can take time to have a complaint or even a lawsuit filed and processed so it is important that you keep everything together and organized so you have proof of what happened.

Document the Incident

Whether you are the one who was directly impacted or you were a witness to it, make sure to document exactly what happened. This can be written down or even recorded on your smartphone or other device. Depending on the type of situation, take pictures or video of what happened as this can be used for further evidence as to what occurred.

Seek Legal Help

If you cannot remedy the issue with the company that you purchased the product from or the manufacturer, contact an attorney to meet with you about the incident. The attorney can provide you detailed instructions on what you should be doing. The sooner the attorney can interview those involved with the situation, the easier it will be to get a detailed account of what has happened while the events are still fresh in their memories. In addition, you may have only a limited time to file a lawsuit to protect your rights so its important to address the issue right away.
The bottom line with all of these steps is that you should gather together as much information as possible, as quickly as possible, so that all the information is there when you need it. Filing a lawsuit or even just a complaint with a company can be difficult, but with the right planning and the help of an experienced attorney, you can get the results you deserve. Please contact us today for more information!

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