Don’t Just Blame Yourself: Why Some Worksite Injuries Are Caused by Defective Products
When someone is hurt on the job, the first reaction is often self-blame. “I should have been more careful.” “I wasn’t paying attention.” But the reality is that many workplace accidents aren’t the worker’s fault at all. Sometimes, the very products and machines you rely on are the real culprits - defective products. Shifting the focus from guilt to understanding can help workers appreciate their rights and hold the right parties accountable.
Beyond Human Error: The Role of Defective Products
Manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and warehouses depend on tools, machines, and safety gear. But when those products are poorly designed, defective, or missing safety features, they can cause devastating injuries. Common product-related causes of work injuries include:
Machines missing guards or interlocks – A foreman’s hand was crushed because the machine he used didn’t have a safety interlock that would have shut it off when the guard was removed. I worked on a case where a milling machine didn’t have a shut-off switch that the worker could reach.
Scaffolds without guardrails – Workers fall because manufacturers sell scaffolds without essential fall-prevention features, even though safer designs exist.
Equipment with faulty parts – A ladder with a weak rung or a forklift missing an alarm creates unnecessary hazards. I once had a case where a ladder bent in half on poorly constructed scaffolding. Another case involved a pump that mistakenly allowed pressure to build, instead of relieving, creating an explosion hazard.
Lack of adequate warnings – Some products come without clear, visible, or effective warnings about known dangers. In my experience, failure to warn cases result in catastrophic injuries. One involved a respirator system, and another involved a climbing harness.
These are not mistakes made by workers; they’re failures in design, manufacturing, or labeling.
Your Legal Options for Defective Products: Product Liability in the Workplace
Injured workers often know about workers’ compensation, but many don’t realize they may also have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of the defective product.
Types of defective products liability claims include:
Design defects – when the product is inherently unsafe (like a scaffold sold without guardrails).
Manufacturing defects – when something goes wrong during production, creating a flawed product. For example, a safety clasp might not fully close.
Failure to warn – when the product lacks proper instructions or warnings about risks. Perhaps, there isn’t a warning that a tool cannot be used for a different industry.
Malfunction theory – when a product simply doesn’t work as intended, and no other reasonable explanation exists. For example, a pump doesn’t relieve pressure, even when there are built-in safety mechanisms.
These claims not only provide additional compensation to the injured worker but also push manufacturers to design safer products for everyone.
Shifting from Blame to Empowerment
If you’ve been hurt on the job, it’s important to step back and ask: Was this really my fault, or did the product fail me? Empowerment comes from recognizing that you are not alone and that defective products are a leading cause of workplace injuries.
What you can do:
Document everything – Take photos of the product, the site, and your injuries. Ask for copies of witness statements, required incident and/or accident reports, and OSHA inspection reports.
Preserve the defective product – Don’t let it get repaired or destroyed before it can be inspected. This is one critical reason to involve lawyers, they can direct this request to the correct people at the place of your employment.
Seek legal advice – Talk to an attorney who understands both workers’ compensation and product liability. They can assist you through the complexity of the situation and guide you towards a fair and reasonable recovery.
Final Thought
You should never carry the burden of self-blame after a workplace injury. Sometimes, the real cause is a defective product that was simply unsafe. By shifting your mindset, you not only protect yourself — you help create safer worksites for everyone.
We’re Ready to Listen to You
You don’t have to accept self-blame when a defective product is the real cause of your workplace injury. At Shannon Law Group, we hold manufacturers accountable and make sure your recovery isn’t left on your shoulders alone. You’ll work directly with Chad Shannon to review what you’ve seen and decide on the next step forward.
Call us at 412-875-9859 or click and complete the form at the bottom of our homepage.
