What type of damages can a plaintiff recover in a product liability case?

In a product liability case in Washington, a plaintiff may be entitled to damages for any harm suffered as a result of a defect in a product. These damages can be both economic and non-economic in nature. Economic damages are typically based on calculating the amount of money necessary to replace or repair the defective product, or to compensate for any financial losses caused by the defect. Examples of economic damages in a product liability case include medical bills, lost wages, and even the cost of the product itself. Non-economic damages refer to compensation for losses that cannot be calculated easily in terms of money. These damages are intended to make up for pain and suffering resulting from the defective product. Examples of non-economic damages may include, but are not limited to, compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. In limited circumstances, a plaintiff in a product liability case may be entitled to punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are awarded to further punish a defendant whose behavior was found to be particularly egregious, and is intended to prevent similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are more common in product liability cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the defendant.

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What type of damages can a plaintiff recover in a product liability case?

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