Were You Hurt by a Household Product During the Holidays?
What to Do in the First 24 Hours
The holiday season should be full of family, warmth, and peace—not unexpected injuries from household products. Yet every year, emergency rooms see a spike in accidents involving space heaters, kitchen appliances, electric decorations, ladders, tools, toys, and more. Were you hurt by a household product during the holidays?
If the answer is yes and you are now searching online for a “consumer product attorney near me” or “product liability attorney near me,” you’re in the right place. Shannon Law Group has handled a variety of product liability cases.
The first 24 hours after an injury are critical—not just for your health, but for preserving evidence that may prove the product was defective.
Read more below to understand what you need to know.
What Legally Counts as a Defective Consumer Product?
A product isn’t considered “defective” simply because it malfunctioned or caused an injury.
Under Pennsylvania law, a product may be defective if it has a:
Design Defect - The product was unsafe from the very beginning—before it was ever manufactured or sold.
Manufacturing Defect - Something went wrong during assembly or production, making your unit dangerous even if others seem safe.
Marketing or Warning Defect - The company failed to give proper instructions, safety warnings, labels, or explanations of risk.
Common holiday-season examples include:
Space heaters that overheat or spark
Electric decorations that catch fire
Pressure cookers or kitchen gadgets that explode
Toys with choking hazards or toxic components
Ladders that collapse under normal use
Tools with faulty safety features
If the product didn’t perform safely when used as intended (or even as reasonably expected), you may have a valid case.
Should You Preserve Everything? Yes, Product, Packaging, Photos, Serial Numbers, and More.
The FIRST rule of product liability: Do not throw anything away.
During the holiday rush, many people toss damaged items without thinking—but that evidence is everything.
Save:
The product itself, even if it’s broken, burned, or shattered. Put it in a safe container.
All packaging and manuals. Manufacturers often argue “user error.” Instructions and labels matter.
Receipts, barcodes, and order confirmations. These prove when and where the product was purchased.
Serial numbers, model numbers, batch numbers. Photograph these before they fade or rub off.
Photos and videos of the product AND the injury scene. Lighting, decorations, room layout—these details matter.
If you’re unsure, ask a product liability attorney to review your evidence. They’ll tell you exactly what to keep (hint: usually everything).
Get Medical Care and Be Careful What You Say to Manufacturers or Insurers
During the holidays, many people try to “tough it out” or wait until after celebrations to seek treatment. DON’T wait. This can hurt both your health and your case. Get evaluated immediately.
Tell your healthcare provider exactly how the injury happened. This builds the medical foundation of your claim.
Do NOT say any of the following to the manufacturer, retailer, or insurer:
“It was probably my fault.”
“Maybe I used it wrong.”
“I’m fine, it’s not that bad.”
“I don’t need a lawyer.”
“I’ll send you the product.”
Anything you say can—and will—be used against you.
Manufacturers often try to get injured consumers to ship them the product, which conveniently “disappears” or is “too damaged to inspect.” Never send it without speaking to an attorney.
A product liability attorney near you can help you avoid common traps.
Who May Be Liable in Pennsylvania?
One mistake consumers make is assuming only the manufacturer is responsible. Under Pennsylvania law, many parties may be liable, including the:
Manufacturer - Domestic or international.
Distributor or importer, especially if the manufacturer is overseas.
Wholesaler
Retailer - Big-box store, local hardware shop, or online seller.
Component part manufacturers - If one failed component (e.g., wiring, battery, valve) caused the injury.
Installers or assemblers - Common with appliances, furniture, or machinery.
This wide net is good news for consumers—you may still have a strong case even if the main manufacturer is foreign or unresponsive.
What Do You Need to Know About Damages and Timelines?
You may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Scarring or burns
Loss of life’s pleasures
Future treatment needs
Wrongful death (if applicable)
Statute of limitations in Pennsylvania:
You generally have two (2) years from the date of injury—but crucial evidence can disappear long before that.
During the holiday season, injuries increase—but so does the speed with which products get tossed out or returned. The sooner you act, the more your attorney can preserve.
Book a Free Case Review and Evidence Strategy Session with Chad Shannon
If you were hurt by a household item this holiday season and searching for a consumer product attorney near you, we’re here to help.
Call us at 412-204-7103 and schedule your 15-minute evidence preservation call today.
We’ll guide you on:
What to save
What not to say
Whether your case has legal merit
How to hold the manufacturer accountable
No pressure. Just clear guidance when you need it most.
