The average person encounters dozens of advertisements every day without giving most of them a second thought. The majority of these ads are perfectly harmless, but some cross the line into deceptive territory by making claims that mislead consumers into purchasing products that end up causing them harm.
If you’ve been injured because of a misleading advertisement, you may have the right to file a legal claim. Continue reading this blog post to learn more about deceptive advertising laws and what you can do if you’ve been affected.
What Makes an Advertisement “Deceptive”?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the primary federal agency responsible for regulating advertising in the United States.
Under FTC standards, an ad is considered deceptive if it:
- Is likely to mislead consumers acting reasonably under the circumstances; and
- Is “material” – that is, important to a consumer’s decision to buy or use the product
Some examples of deceptive advertising include:
- Making false claims about a product’s effectiveness
- Hiding important safety risks in fine print that most consumers won’t read
- Using misleading images that exaggerate what a product can do
- Advertising a price that comes with undisclosed conditions
- Presenting paid endorsements as if they are unbiased reviews
It’s worth noting that an ad doesn’t have to be outright false to be considered deceptive. Technically true statements can still qualify if they are presented in a way that creates a misleading overall impression.
How Deceptive Ads Can Lead to Personal Injury
Deceptive advertising becomes a personal injury issue when the misleading claims directly lead to someone getting hurt. This happens more often than most people realize.
Some of the most common product categories involved in deceptive advertising injury claims include:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Dietary supplements
- Medical devices
- Children’s products
- Cosmetics
In many of these cases, the resulting injuries could have been avoided entirely if the company had been honest about the risks.
What Are My Legal Options After Being Harmed by a Deceptive Ad?
Deceptive advertising cases often fall under the category of product liability, but they may also be based on another theory instead, like negligence. Some false advertising laws apply differently depending on who brings the claim, so it’s important to speak with an attorney about what applies to your situation.
That said, in any event, it’s best to keep the following steps in mind so that you can protect your interests:
- Save the advertisement that you believe was deceptive
- Document your injuries and any medical treatment you receive if you’ve been harmed
- Avoid posting about the situation on social media
- Reach out to a personal injury attorney for help
An experienced personal injury lawyer can evaluate the advertisement in question and determine your best course of action from there. The sooner you reach out, the better, as there is likely a strict statute of limitations that applies to your claim.
Contact the Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
Deceptive advertising is more than just an annoyance. When companies put profits ahead of consumer safety, real people get hurt. If a misleading ad played a role in an injury you’ve suffered, you may be entitled to money damages.
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations. We work on contingency, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if you win compensation for your case.
We proudly serve Cook County, Will County, Kendall County, and their surrounding areas:
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
10 S La Salle St STE 1230, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone:(312) 726-1616
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Chicago
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.8815493,-87.6327515
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 726-1616
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Joliet
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.5254295,-88.1381011
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Rockford Office
318 N 1st St, Rockford, IL 61107
Phone:(815) 662-0330
Hours: Open 24/7
