Pepper spray is a common self-defense tool and a method of crowd control used by law enforcement and military personnel. While it may seem like a rather harmless tool, exposure to pepper spray can result in serious health complications. In some cases, people with severe injuries may have grounds for a civil lawsuit against the product’s manufacturer. An experienced attorney could assist individuals in determining if they are eligible to pursue compensation for their damages.

Reaching out to a lawyer at the A.W. Smith Law Firm with experience in pepper spray settlements could be crucial. A qualified pepper spray injury attorney could work with you to gather evidence, establish liability, and advocate for fair compensation for your injuries.

Possible Injuries and Long-Term Effects

Exposure to pepper spray is known to cause various short-term symptoms, such as intense burning of the skin and eyes, difficulty breathing, and temporary blindness. While these symptoms often subside within an hour, not all individuals recover so easily. Some people may experience more severe and long-lasting health issues, including heart problems and strokes.

One reason pepper spray can be so harmful is its active ingredient, capsaicin, which causes severe inflammation in the body’s mucous membranes. This can lead to difficulty breathing, involuntary eye closure, and intense pain. For individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease, the effects of pepper spray exposure may be much more dangerous. The effects can sometimes be life-threatening, and manufacturers have not always been transparent about these risks.

A person who suffers from health complications identified as long-term after exposure to pepper spray could have a valid claim for damages. Those who have experienced heart arrhythmias, strokes, or other serious medical conditions following exposure might be eligible for a settlement if the manufacturer failed to adequately warn of these risks.

How to Prove Negligence

To succeed in a court against a large product manufacturer, a plaintiff must prove the manufacturer breached a duty of care by failing to disclose the full extent of the risks associated with the product. This often involves showing that the manufacturer did not provide sufficient warning labels or did not conduct proper safety testing before releasing the product for public use.

Many pepper spray products on the market carry visible warnings about their short-term effects, such as skin and eye irritation, but few adequately describe the potential for more serious health consequences. As a result, individuals who suffer significant harm may be able to argue that the manufacturer’s negligence in failing to disclose these risks directly contributed to their injuries.

Additionally, some lawsuits and settlements focus on the fact that pepper spray manufacturers did not publicly disclose the specific chemical makeup of their products, making it difficult for individuals to be aware of potential allergic reactions or long-term health risks.

Potential Compensation

In a successful civil case, those harmed by pepper spray exposure may be entitled to a variety of damages. Compensation can cover both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care or rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages, such as compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life, may also be available in cases where people have endured long-term or permanent health problems due to exposure.

Call a Pepper Spray Injury Attorney for Help with a Settlement

You can contact an experienced lawyer from A.W. Smith Law who could be your best advocate in pursuing the compensation you deserve, whether through a pepper spray settlement or a court judgment. Please do not wait to get the legal help you need. Go ahead and reach out to a lawyer today to explore your options for seeking justice and recovering from the harm you have endured.