Product Liability Lawyer California: Fighting for Victims of Dangerous Products

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others who make products available to the public to provide safe products and to be held liable for injuries those products cause. When products are unreasonably dangerous or defective, these parties may be held legally responsible for resulting injuries and damages.

Understanding California Product Liability Law

California maintains strong consumer protection laws that favor injured victims. The state follows a strict liability doctrine in product liability cases, which is particularly beneficial for plaintiffs. Under this doctrine, you don’t need to prove that the manufacturer or seller was negligent—only that:

1. The product contained a defect
2. The defect existed when the product left the defendant’s possession
3. The defect caused your injury while you were using the product as intended

This strict liability standard removes significant barriers for injured consumers seeking justice, as it focuses on the condition of the product rather than the behavior of the defendant.

California’s product liability laws operate under a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, meaning you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. There are exceptions that may extend this timeframe, such as when injuries aren’t immediately apparent, which is why consulting with a knowledgeable product liability attorney promptly is crucial.

Common Examples of Product Liability Cases

Our California product liability attorneys routinely handle cases involving:

• Automotive defects: Faulty brakes, defective airbags, tire blowouts, seat belt failures, and unstable vehicle designs that lead to rollovers
• Dangerous pharmaceuticals: Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs with undisclosed side effects or contamination issues
• Defective medical devices: Faulty implants, surgical equipment, and diagnostic tools that malfunction or cause unexpected complications
• Dangerous children’s products: Toys with choking hazards, flammable clothing, unsafe cribs, car seats with design flaws, and other items that pose risks to children
• Toxic food and beverages: Contaminated food products that cause food poisoning or contain harmful substances
• Defective household items: Appliances that overheat and cause fires, power tools with inadequate safety guards, and furniture that collapses unexpectedly
• Hazardous chemicals and industrial products: Pesticides, cleaning products, and industrial chemicals lacking proper warnings or containing dangerous formulations

Types of Defective Product Claims We Handle

Product liability cases generally fall into three main categories, defined by the nature of the defect. Our legal team has extensive experience handling all three types:

Design Defects

Design defects exist before the product is manufactured. These flaws occur when a product’s blueprint or concept is inherently dangerous, even when manufactured exactly as intended.

Example: A vehicle designed with a high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase that makes it prone to rollovers during normal turning maneuvers.

To prove a design defect in California, we must demonstrate that:

• The product’s design makes it unreasonably dangerous
• A reasonable alternative design existed that would have prevented harm without significantly compromising the product’s utility
• The design defect directly caused your injuries

Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects occur during production, assembly, or shipping of the product. These defects typically affect a limited number of units rather than the entire product line.

Example: A batch of tainted pain medication containing harmful chemical contaminants due to equipment issues during production.

To establish a manufacturing defect claim, we must show that:

• The product deviated from its intended design
• The defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control
• The defect directly caused your injuries

Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)

Marketing defects involve inadequate instructions, insufficient warnings about non-obvious risks, or misleading marketing claims. Manufacturers have a duty to warn consumers about potential dangers associated with their products.

Example: A prescription drug marketed without warnings about serious side effects or dangerous drug interactions.

In failure to warn cases, we must demonstrate that:

• The manufacturer knew or should have known about the product’s dangers
• The risks weren’t obvious to typical users
• The manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings
• This failure directly contributed to your injuries