Every day, people across California use consumer products expecting them to be safe and reliable. From kitchen appliances to cars, toys, electronics, tools, and medical devices, products are everywhere in our lives. Unfortunately, sometimes these products are defective, dangerous, or poorly labeled—and that can result in serious injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and lifelong consequences. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a defective product, you have powerful legal rights under California law. This guide will show you what to do after a product injury, how to file a product liability claim, and why hiring a California defective product lawyer is the smartest move.
California product liability law protects anyone hurt by unsafe or faulty products. There are three main ways a product can be legally “defective”:
1. Design Defects:
The product is dangerous because of the way it was designed. Even if manufactured correctly, its design makes it unreasonably hazardous for users. Examples include cars with unstable frames, electronics that overheat, or tools that lack essential safety features.
2. Manufacturing Defects:
The product is designed safely, but something went wrong during production. Manufacturing defects might be a batch of contaminated food, a bicycle with a cracked frame, or a prescription drug that was mixed incorrectly.
3. Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn):
Manufacturers and sellers must provide adequate warnings and instructions. If they fail to warn users about non-obvious risks, or the instructions are unclear or missing, this is considered a marketing defect. For example, a chemical cleaner with no warning about toxic fumes or a power tool sold without proper usage instructions.
You do not need to be the person who bought the product to file a claim. Under California law, anyone injured by a defective product may have a right to compensation. This includes bystanders, children, and people using borrowed or gifted items.
You may file a claim against any party involved in the product’s supply chain. This includes the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, and retailer. In some cases, more than one company can be held responsible for your injuries.
One of the strongest features of California’s product liability law is the principle of strict liability. This means that you do not need to prove that the manufacturer or seller was careless. If the product was defective and that defect caused your injury while you were using the item as intended (or in a reasonably foreseeable way), you may have a case. The focus is on the product, not the intent or behavior of the manufacturer.
If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to recover damages such as:
In the tragic event of a fatality, the family may file a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, loss of support, and companionship.
Product liability cases are complex. Manufacturers have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters working to minimize or deny your claim. Having an attorney who knows California product liability law levels the playing field.
Your lawyer will:
Winning a California product liability claim requires strong evidence. Your legal team will likely work with engineers, scientists, or medical professionals who can analyze the defect and link it directly to your injuries. Product recalls, safety warnings, and prior consumer complaints can also help build your case.
Photos, videos, and written descriptions of the incident are critical. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving important evidence.
What if the product was recalled?
A recall strengthens your case but is not required. You can still sue if the defect caused your injury.
Can I file a claim if I modified the product?
If your modifications did not cause the injury and you were using the product in a foreseeable way, you may still have a claim.
What if I was partly at fault?
California follows comparative fault rules. If you are found partially responsible, your compensation may be reduced, but you can still recover damages.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In California, you usually have two years from the date of your injury to file a product liability lawsuit. Some exceptions apply, so consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Manufacturers often claim that the user misused the product, ignored warnings, or altered the item. Sometimes, they argue the defect did not cause the injury or that the injury resulted from another source. An experienced California defective product lawyer will anticipate these defenses and build a strategy to counter them.
Our attorneys have a proven track record in handling complex product liability cases throughout California. We know how to take on powerful companies and insurance carriers to secure justice for injury victims. You will receive personalized attention, transparent communication, and aggressive legal representation from the first consultation through resolution.
We do not charge any upfront fees and only get paid if you win your case. Your consultation is confidential and risk-free.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective product in California, do not delay. Every day you wait can make evidence harder to recover. California Trial Law Group, PC will help you understand your rights, file your product liability claim, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with an experienced California defective product lawyer.
We operate on a Zero Fee Guarantee for personal injury and employment-related cases. This means that you don't pay any attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. In other words, if we don't win your case, you don't owe us anything. This is a common practice for plaintiff law firms and ensures that our clients can pursue justice without worrying about upfront costs.
Additionally, the cost of a consultation is free for personal injury and employment-related matters. You should feel confident contacting our firm to learn more about your case and how we can help you seek compensation for your injuries or employment issues.
Most of the attorney fees and litigation costs, when the case is successful, are typically covered by the money recovered from your case. However, it's important to note that if a client decides to terminate our services before a resolution is reached, they may be responsible for any attorney fees and litigation costs incurred up to that point. No recovery, no charge is our standard practice, and we are committed to providing you with the best legal representation without financial risk.
When selecting a legal professional to represent your case, it is important to find someone with high credentials, worthy memberships, and a proven record of obtaining success for clients. These are indicators of an attorney's dedication and skills. At California Trial Law Group, we hold membership on the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Consumer Attorneys of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, California Employment Lawyers Association, and various other organizations dedicated to representing injured individuals and employees. Our lawyers have received high marks by clients and peers on Superlawyers and AVVO.
Lawsuits are subject to California's statute of limitations; a set of laws that limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Below are some common deadlines to watch for:
You must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident or the date you discovered the injury. If you are filing suit against a government entity for personal injury, you only have six months.
Aggrieved ex-employees who have been wrongfully terminated must file their claims within two years of termination. Even though California is an at-will state, employers cannot fire their employees for an illegal reason, such as their ethnicity, age, or gender.
Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) discrimination claims are a two-step process because claimants have one year to file administrative complaints under the FEHA, and then an additional year to file a lawsuit after they receive a right-to-sue letter.
California Family Rights Act (CFRA) Retaliation Claims: Similar to FEHA, a person loses the right to file a lawsuit one year after the CFRA agency sends a right-to-sue letter.
Most unpaid wage claims are subject to a three-year statute of limitations. Under the Unfair Competition Law (UCL), the time period is extended to four years for unpaid wage claims under the Unfair Competition Law, while wage statement claims must be brought within one year.
If you were injured in a preventable accident or in connection with your employment, then you likely have reasonable cause for a claim. By contacting our firm, we can help you make this determination.
Speak with a lawyer immediately after you seek medical help for your injury. Get the medical attention that you need, then contact an attorney about your legal rights and options. Your health is the most important thing, but your future, finances, and rights are important too.
The value of a personal injury claim or lawsuit depends on a multitude of factors: the extent of your injuries, your medical expenses, your emotional damages, and more. If you missed work because of an injury, you can seek additional compensation for lost wages. Schedule a consultation with our firm to learn more about your legal opportunities after an accident.
The duration of any case is subject the particular circumstances of that case. We will be better able to answer this question after reviewing your case and determining how to best move forward. You can call our firm today for a free consultation.
Our firm is dedicated to your case and will take the time necessary to ensure that you receive all that you deserve, even if it does take years. We will take care of as much of the process as possible, so you don't have to lose valuable time and can focus on your medical treatment and recovering.
Many insurance companies have a base equation that they use to calculate settlement offers. Unfortunately, this initial amount is usually insufficient because insurance adjustors usually try to save the insurance companies money . Thus, victims should not seek to close their case too quickly, but consult a personal injury lawyer to receive a fair offer. California Trial Law Group ensure that the insurance companies treat our client's fairly, that they not undervalue your case, and that you will ultimately receive a favorable settlement.
You may receive compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of earnings, property damage, and for other expenses you incurred. In the case of wrongful death, the family may receive an amount to cover the loss of future income as well as loss of companionship. As part of our service, we will discuss in detail an amount of compensation that you deserve and that we will fight for to obtain.
No. Many cases are settled out of court. Our firm, however, is well prepared to take a defendant to court if they do not give our client the amount that we feel our client is entitled to.
We are a firm dedicated to serving the needs of our clients and your best interest come first and foremost. When you are looking for reliable, unyielding legal representation there is no better firm to turn to than California Trial Law Group.
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