Product Liability in California
Holding Manufacturers Accountable for Unsafe Products
Hurt by a Defective Product?
We Help California Consumers Seek Justice
When you buy a product, you trust that it will be safe to use as intended. Unfortunately, dangerous and defective products injure thousands of people each year, from faulty car parts and unsafe appliances to toxic children’s toys. These cases often involve large corporations and their legal teams working aggressively to avoid responsibility. We represent individuals and families across California who have been seriously injured by defective products, standing up to manufacturers and pursuing full compensation for their injuries.
Types of Product Liability Cases We Handle
Fighting for Victims of Unsafe Products
We handle a wide range of product liability claims, including:
Defective Auto Parts
Malfunctioning brakes, airbags, or tires that cause accidents and injuries on Florida roads.
Household Appliance Failures
Fires, burns, or electrical injuries resulting from faulty appliances or wiring defects.
Children’s Products & Toys
Choking hazards, toxic materials, or unsafe designs that harm children and infants.
Dangerous Medical Devices
Faulty implants, prosthetics, or medical equipment leading to serious health complications.
Industrial Equipment Defects
Unsafe machinery or tools causing catastrophic injuries in work environments.
Tainted Food or Pharmaceuticals
Contaminated food products or drugs with undisclosed side effects resulting in illness or injury.
Product Liability Claims in Florida
Understanding Your Rights as a Consumer
Under California law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can all be held responsible when a defective product causes harm. Product liability claims can involve design defects, manufacturing errors, or failure to warn about potential dangers. These cases are complex and often require technical investigations and expert testimony to prove the product was unreasonably dangerous. It is important to act quickly, as key evidence such as the defective product itself may be lost or destroyed over time.
Two-Year Filing Deadline:
California requires product liability lawsuits to be filed within two years of the injury date.
Strict Liability Standard:
Manufacturers may be held liable even if they did not act intentionally or negligently.
Types of Defects:
Claims may involve design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to provide adequate warnings.
Common Product Liability Questions
What Injured Consumers Should Know
What is product liability, and when does a product become legally defective?
Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, designers, distributors, or retailers when a product causes harm due to a defect. In California, a product is considered defective if it has a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or inadequate warnings that make it unreasonably dangerous for normal use. Design defects affect all versions of a product and stem from poor planning. Manufacturing defects affect only specific units. Failure-to-warn claims involve missing or unclear safety instructions. You don’t need to prove the company was negligent—just that the product was defective and caused your injury under California’s strict liability laws.Who can be held responsible for a defective product injury?
Liability isn’t limited to the manufacturer. Under California law, any party involved in the distribution chain may be held responsible—including designers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and even online platforms if they had a role in placing the product in your hands. This matters because sometimes the manufacturer is overseas or bankrupt, but the product was sold by a major retailer with domestic legal obligations. Everyone in the supply chain has a duty to ensure the products they handle are safe for consumers, and they can be named in a lawsuit to ensure proper compensation.What if I was injured by a product that was recalled?
A recall strengthens your case but does not automatically guarantee compensation. California courts still require you to prove that the product caused your injury and that the defect existed when it left the manufacturer’s control. However, a recall is strong evidence that the company knew the product was dangerous or acted too slowly. Even if the injury happened after the recall, you might still have a claim—especially if the notice was poorly distributed or delayed. A skilled attorney can use the recall record and regulatory documents to show negligence or systemic product failure.Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t using the product exactly as intended?
Possibly. California product liability law recognizes that not all users follow instructions to the letter—and that doesn’t necessarily block your claim. If your use was reasonably foreseeable and the product still posed an unreasonable risk of harm, you may still be entitled to damages. For example, if you leaned slightly back on a chair and it collapsed, or if a child used a toy in a typical way and it broke dangerously, you may still qualify. The court asks whether the injury was due to misuse or a defect that should have been anticipated by the maker.What damages can I recover in a product liability case?
You may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. This includes past and future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning ability, and any out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages—like emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life—are also compensable. For serious cases involving permanent injury, disfigurement, or long-term disability, damages can also cover home modifications, assistive equipment, and lifetime care. In some cases, punitive damages may apply if the manufacturer acted with conscious disregard for safety.How do I prove the product was defective and caused my injury?
You don’t need to prove negligence, but you must show that the product was defective, that you used it properly or in a foreseeable way, and that it caused your injury. Evidence may include the product itself, packaging, manuals, receipts, medical records, and expert analysis. It helps to keep the product in its post-accident condition. A lawyer will work with engineers or product safety experts to document how the product failed and connect it to your injuries. The sooner you act, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case.What if the product was made outside the U.S.?
Yes. In California, domestic sellers, distributors, or importers can be held responsible even if the product was manufactured abroad. The law prevents companies from avoiding liability by outsourcing production overseas. If the product was sold in California and harmed you, the parties that brought it into the state or put it in the stream of commerce can be held liable. A good legal team can identify all responsible parties and make sure the claim isn’t derailed by international barriers.Can I sue for injuries caused by prescription drugs or medical devices?
Yes. Prescription drugs and medical devices fall under product liability if they are found to be defective in design, manufacturing, or labeling. You may sue if the product caused harm and you weren’t properly warned of known risks. These claims can be filed against the pharmaceutical manufacturer, and in some cases, against the doctor or clinic if they failed to disclose important risks. FDA approval does not prevent lawsuits—especially if the company misrepresented safety data or failed to act on reported dangers.How long do I have to file a product liability claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for product liability is generally two years from the date of injury. If the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the deadline may begin when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the harm. For wrongful death, the two-year period starts on the date of death. In cases involving children, the clock may pause until the child turns 18. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and avoids losing your right to file due to procedural deadlines.Is it worth taking on a big company over a defective product?
Yes. While taking legal action against a large corporation may seem overwhelming, it is often the only way to recover full compensation and force safety improvements. You’re not alone—most attorneys take these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless you win. Filing a lawsuit can also expose dangerous practices, trigger product changes, and protect others from future harm. If a defective product caused serious injury or death, it is absolutely worth exploring your legal options.
