What to Do If You're Injured by a Defective Product in Rhode Island
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Product liability cases are won or lost on physical evidence. The defective product that caused your injury is the most important piece of evidence in the entire case, and it can disappear, be discarded, repaired, or destroyed within days of the incident. The steps you take immediately after a defective product injury determine whether that evidence is preserved or lost.
At the Law Offices of Michael F. Campopiano, we move quickly to preserve product evidence and build defective product cases across Rhode Island. Call us at (401) 288-3888 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Preserve it
The single most important step after a defective product injury: do not discard, repair, clean, or return the product
Preserve it
The single most important step after a defective product injury: do not discard, repair, clean, or return the product
Do not use it
Using a defective product again after it injures you destroys physical evidence of the defect and creates additional safety risk
Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Defective Product Injury
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health comes first. Seek emergency medical care for any serious injury. Tell the treating physician that a product caused the injury and describe the product and how it malfunctioned as specifically as possible. The medical record created at the time of the injury is the foundation of your damages claim.
Step 2: Preserve the Product — Do Not Discard, Repair, or Return It
This is the single most critical step. Do not:
- Throw the product away
- Repair or attempt to fix it
- Clean it in a way that might remove physical evidence of the defect
- Return it to the store or manufacturer
- Use it again
Store the product in a secure location exactly as it was when the injury occurred. If possible, place it in a sealed bag or box with a note describing the date, injury, and how the product was being used.
Step 3: Preserve All Packaging, Instructions, and Receipts
The packaging, user manual, warning labels, and purchase receipt are all evidence. The packaging may contain lot numbers and manufacturing dates. The user manual may demonstrate the absence of adequate warnings. Keep all materials together with the product.
Step 4: Photograph Everything
Take detailed photographs of the defective product, any damage to it, any injury it caused, the product packaging and labeling, and the location where the injury occurred.
Step 5: Document the Circumstances
Write down everything you remember about how and when the injury occurred while the details are fresh: what you were doing with the product, how it was being used, what happened, and the sequence of events.
Step 6: Check for Recalls
Check whether the product has been subject to a recall. See our page on how to check if a product has been recalled for the specific databases to search.
Step 7: Report the Injury to the CPSC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a database of consumer product injury reports at SaferProducts.gov. Filing a report creates an official record and may trigger an investigation into the product.
Step 8: Contact an Attorney Before Contacting the Manufacturer
Do not contact the manufacturer or their customer service without first speaking with an attorney. Product manufacturers are experienced at handling injury reports in ways that minimize their legal exposure.
Do not return the defective product.
Every year, product liability cases are compromised because the victim returned the product to the store or manufacturer before it could be examined by an expert. Preserve the evidence.
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Real Stories. Real Results.
What truly impressed me was the amount of compensation I received. It's significantly more than what I got from other cases where I treated for twice as long, and those took much longer to resolve. The efficiency and effectiveness of this team are truly commendable.
Communication was top-notch throughout the entire process. I felt informed and involved every step of the way, and I was particularly pleased that I could reach out to Mike directly whenever I had questions. His accessibility made a world of difference and reassured me that I was in good hands.
If you're looking for a dedicated team that delivers results quickly and effectively, I highly recommend this firm. They exceeded my expectations, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome of my case!
I’m in a new whip, watch, kicks, it was the little jumpstart I needed to get me going. 5 months and I got it. Hit em up and be patient call every now and then and that’s it, be patient ock you’ll get paid.
Their team went above and beyond to ensure that I felt supported and informed every step of the way. They handled everything—from paperwork to negotiations—seamlessly, which completely eased my anxiety. What could have been an incredibly stressful and daunting lawsuit turned into a smooth and almost effortless process, thanks to their dedication and professionalism.
I was especially impressed with how they fought for my case. They didn’t settle for the first offer but instead pushed for what I truly deserved. In the end, they secured a settlement that was far beyond anything I ever expected. Their persistence and expertise showed me that I was in the best hands possible.
Lawsuits can be stressful, but Michael F. Campopiano and his team made the entire experience not only bearable but even empowering. If you’re looking for a legal team that genuinely cares, works tirelessly, and delivers outstanding results, look no further. I am so thankful for their help and would recommend them to anyone in need of legal representation. Thank you for everything!
Areas We Serve
- Throughout Rhode Island & Massachusetts, helping victims of personal injury get the care they deserve.
“When you choose us, you can be rest assured that you will receive personalized attention and a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances. Our skilled lawyers will guide you through every step of the legal process, explaining your rights and options in clear, straightforward language.
We handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and falls, Dog Bite, and more. No matter the complexity of your case, we have the expertise and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Negligent Security in Rhode Island
1. Can I sue a property owner if I was assaulted on their premises?
Yes, if the assault was foreseeable and the property owner failed to take reasonable security precautions. The criminal who harmed you and the property owner can both be held liable. The criminal faces criminal prosecution. The property owner faces civil liability through their commercial insurance.
2. What if the attacker was never caught?
The identity of the attacker is not required for a negligent security claim against the property owner. Your claim is against the property owner for failing to prevent the foreseeable crime, not against the attacker in civil court. The criminal case and the civil case are entirely separate.
3. What if I was partly at fault for being in a dangerous area?
Under Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence rule, any fault assigned to you reduces but does not eliminate your recovery. We challenge any inflated victim-fault assignment and make the case that the property owner’s failure to provide reasonable security was the primary cause of the harm.
4. How long do I have to file a negligent security claim in Rhode Island?
Three years from the date of the incident under Rhode Island’s statute of limitations. Act quickly to preserve security footage, incident reports, and evidence of the property’s prior crime history.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Michael F. Campopiano?
Why Choose the Law Offices of Michael F. Campopiano?
Founded in 2007, MFC Law has spent nearly two decades fighting for injury victims throughout Rhode Island. Michael F. Campopiano built this firm on a simple belief: advocacy with compassion, when clients need it most. That means being accessible, honest, and relentless. Mike answers client calls directly, moves quickly to preserve evidence, and does not back down when insurance companies push back.
Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, so every client feels fully understood and supported through every step of the process.
We represent injury victims across Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and all surrounding Rhode Island communities.
We're here for you.
We fight for every dollar you deserve. No fee unless we’re successful.
Where Your Voice Finds Strength.
Wherever you are, we’ll fight for your rights bringing justice to light.