How is a defective product complaint filed against a seller?

healyscanlonveugelergannon • September 18, 2014

Residents of Illinois will agree that purchasing any product has never been easier. A consumer can walk into a store or make a purchase by phone or online through the manufacturers’ or retail seller’s website. However, purchasing via phone or the Internet increases the chances of receiving a defective product.

Once a consumer realizes that a purchased product is defective, the first step is to notify the seller. The consumer can call or email customer service to arrange for an exchange or refund. The person can also report the issue to the company’s consumer affairs division, which oversees such complaints. The contact information is usually available on the warranty, product label or other documents provided upon purchase.

If information is not available, information can be obtained on the company website, reference books with company details or by calling 1-800-555-1212 to check if the company has a toll-free number. Manufacturer’s information can be different from the company that sold the product or who owns the brand name so be sure to contact the party responsible for the refund.

A letter can be written to the company, which could also serve as evidence of communication. The letter should contain specific product information along with documentation of purchase, defect and provide a time limit for response.

Avoid sending a sarcastic, angry or a threatening letter and provide all pertinent contact details. A copy of the letter and details of any other communication should be kept on file along with a printed screenshot of any online communication of the defect.

While any of these options are acceptable for minor issues related to defective products, advice of an  Illinois defective product  attorney may be beneficial if the product is dangerous and caused injuries to a loved one or oneself. Various legal options must be understood by an injured person who wants to assess a product liability case.

Source:  USA.gov, “Contact the Seller,” Sep. 3, 2014

$1,000,000.00 Verdict

April 13, 2026
Attorneys Michael P. Scanlon and Timothy J. Ganshirt secured a $1,000,000.00 Verdict for their client, Jane Doe. Jane Doe was sexually assaulted by her acupuncturist when she went to his office for treatment. Prior to trial, the Defendant did not make a settlement offer. At trial, the Defendant's attorneys argued that Plaintiff consented and recommended that the jury award a maximum of $7,000 to $8,000 to the Plaintiff, if the jury were to award anything. Instead, the jury returned a verdict for $1,000,000.00. Michael and Tim are filing a motion to add interest, fees, and costs to the verdict. If granted, thetotal judgment could reach up to $1,234,333.06.  This case highlights the importance of making sure that you choose attorneys who are willing to go to trial to ensure your case gets the full value it deserves.

$40 Million Settlement

March 25, 2026
Matthew M. Gannon and Michael P. Scanlon secured $40,000,000 for an operating engineer who suffered from third degree burns following a blast at an industrial facility.