More than ever, people are rediscovering the joys of staying safe at home. Unfortunately, the more time people spend at home, the more likely they are to get hurt there. Read on to find out why home is not always the safest place to be and how victims hurt by a product used in the home can take action and be compensated.

Read the Warnings and Instructions

Products on the market today often come complete with a bewildering array of warnings to follow. In many cases, these warnings and precautions have been prompted by previous injuries. While all of the warnings may not be the result of a lawsuit, they are all in place to reduce the product maker's liability. That means the manufacturer of the product is hoping to protect themselves from lawsuits by warning consumers about certain aspects of a product.

It's pretty clear that not everyone reads all the paperwork that comes with a home appliance or other items, but ignoring it places you in peril in two ways:

1. You may not understand how to safely use the product if you don't read the instructions and warnings.

2. You may not be able to take action against the maker of the product if you were warned and misused the product. Whether these warnings are there for consumer protection or to protect the financial interests of the maker is debatable but you probably won't gain any compensation if warnings are ignored and you are hurt.

Beware of Overly Broad Disclaimers

Not all warnings are meant to protect anyone, however. To be effective and prevent maker liability, the warnings must be easy to locate, understandable by the average consumer, and be about very specific issues. For example, if you have a pressure cooker, you might find a warning that declares the manufacturer is not responsible for any injuries that result from the use of the appliance. That warning disclaimer is far too broad to be helpful to consumers. You must, however, use the pot properly and follow all the safety guidelines listed in the paperwork.

When to Take Action

When you get hurt from a product used in the home, you might be eligible for payment of medical expenses, lost personal property, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Even if you followed the directions, products can fail. They may be defective, for example. That is why you must speak to a personal injury lawyer after you have been hurt. They can examine the circumstances of the injury and evaluate your chances of winning a lawsuit. Never just assume that you do or don't have a case — speak to a personal injury lawyer to find out for sure.