Product defects can cause serious injuries. When they do, the responsible party should be held accountable for all damages. Identifying liability and proving the defect caused the harm can be difficult as it often requires technical and scientific knowledge as much as legal skills.
At Dordick Law Corporation, we have the resources to provide thorough legal representation for product liability cases. Our product specialized Personal Injury lawyers in Southern California (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Riverside, San Diego & surrounding areas) will take on these types of cases and the challenges that flow from them. Contact us at (310) 551-0949 to schedule a free consultation when we can discuss your case with you. We can assess your case and lay out the best legal options available to you.
One of Gary A. Dordick's most notable settlements in a product defect case involved the wrongful death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin.
What Constitutes Product Liability?
Product liability is one part of tort law that holds companies accountable for a defective product when it causes harm to another person. The defect is often the result of negligence when designing, making, and selling a product. Successful product liability claims rest on showing that:
- The company acted negligently.
- There was a breach of warranty.
- The breach caused, in part at least, an injury.
- The injury resulted in monetary damages.
Most product liability claims, however, seek to hold the defendant company strictly liable. That way, the victim can recover compensation without proving that the defendant acted poorly.
Three Theories on Product Defects in California for Strict Liability
If your product defect case puts forth a strict liability claim (as opposed to or in addition to a negligence theory claim), then there are three specific theories under the strict liability umbrella that can be used.
1. Design Defects
Design defects involve a dangerous condition in the product that is the result of the design of the product. Real examples of design defects include:
- Hernia mesh products where some devices were designed with material or in a wavy that caused erosion, migration, and perforation
- Boppy Newborn Loungers where the poor design caused some newborns to suffocate when they fell asleep
- Peloton Tread Plus+ where the design did not take into consideration a way to prevent children and pets from being pulled under the machine
2. Manufacturing Defects
Manufacturing defects occur when an error is made during the production of the product and this error leads to dangerous differences between the design and the finished result. Some real examples include:
- Auvi-q pens or EpiPens that failed to inject life-saving medicine
- General Motor vehicles with faulty ignition switches that could shut off the engine while driving or disable power steering and brakes
- Dow Corning silicone breast implants that could rupture
3. Marketing Defects
Marketing defects occur when a company fails to warn users about a potential danger of using the product––even if the product was not used for its intended purpose but the use was foreseeable. Examples of marketing defects include:
- Juul vapes when it initially contained no warning about the product containing nicotine
- IVC filters, a surgical device to prevent blood clots, when they came onto the market without a warning to patients that the devices could migrate and penetrate the duodenum
- Paraquat, an herbicide, when it was released into the market without a warning that exposure could lead to Parkinson's Disease
A defendant will put forth defenses. Some of these defenses are common and so you should be aware of them. For example, a defendant of a marketing defect allegation may try to show that a reasonable consumer would not have gotten hurt. A defendant of a design defect allegation may argue that a feasible alternative product design was unavailable to mitigate the risk associated with the current product.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Defect Case in California?
Parties that are often held accountable for defective products are manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
- Manufacturers. These are companies––anything from a one-person company to a multinational corporation––involved in the design and/or marketing of the product. There could also be multiple manufacturers, one for the defective part of the product and another for the defective product itself.
- Wholesalers. These are the middlemen between the makers and the retailers.
- Retailers. These are the ones who sell the product and/or advertise the product for sale, and through these advertisements, they implicitly ensure the product is safe and suitable for use.
When suing a retailer, keep in mind that the injured party:
- Does not have to be the one who bought the defective product
- Does not have to be the one who used the defective product
- Might be able to recover compensation for used products, but it depends on the various circumstances, like state law, the product, and the defect
As it is, any company in the manufacturing and supply chain can be held liable in product defect cases. The key is determining what the defect is and connecting the defect with the injury. This also means that more than one party can be held liable. In fact, it is not a matter (and never is) of choosing one liable party over another party. If there are potentially multiple parties who can be held accountable, that increases your options (in most cases) of obtaining fair and just compensation.
At the beginning of the case, it is especially important to name all potential parties involved in the chain of distribution. Later, it may become clear that one party may not be liable, but if you fail to add them originally, you may miss an opportunity to collect.
Five Things to Know about Product Defects Cases in California
Product liability cases arise when a product causes harm to a consumer due to a defect in design, manufacturing, or inadequate warnings. These cases can be complex and challenging, requiring a skilled legal team to navigate the intricate web of laws and regulations governing product liability.
- The responsible party must be identified. Determining who is at fault in a product liability case can be a daunting task. It may involve investigating the product's design, manufacturing process, and marketing to identify the party or parties responsible for the defect. Our product defect lawyer has the expertise to conduct thorough investigations and pinpoint the liable parties, whether they are manufacturers, distributors, or retailers.
- Causation must be established. Proving that a product defect directly caused your injuries is a crucial element of a product liability case. Our product liability attorney works closely with medical experts to establish a clear connection between the defect and the harm you've suffered. This meticulous approach strengthens your case and enhances the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
- The product defect must be proven. Establishing that a product is defective and that the defect caused the injury is a critical aspect of a product liability case. This requires not only legal expertise but also a deep understanding of engineering, design principles, and industry standards. We work with experts in various fields to build a compelling case, demonstrating the product's flaws and their connection to your injuries.
- Complex regulations will have to be navigated. Product liability cases are subject to a myriad of federal and state regulations. Staying abreast of these regulations and understanding how they apply to your case is a significant challenge. We are well-versed in the intricate landscape of product liability laws, ensuring that your case is handled with the precision and attention to detail it deserves.
- Well-funded defendants must be handled appropriately. Many product liability cases involve large corporations with substantial resources and legal teams. Facing such well-funded opponents can be intimidating, but it is a challenge we at Dordick Law Corporation are ready to tackle. We will go up against powerful entities and leverage our knowledge to level the playing field, advocating fiercely on your behalf.
With our specialized Personal Injury attorneys in Southern California (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Riverside, San Diego & surrounding areas) handling the legal aspects of your case, you can focus on your recovery and well-being. Knowing that a knowledgeable professional is advocating for your interests provides peace of mind during a challenging time.
Contact a Product Liability Attorney in Southern California Today
Defective products that cause injuries are many. Victims are entitled to compensation for those injuries. At Dordick Law Corporation, our Personal Injury attorneys in Southern California (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Riverside, San Diego & surrounding areas) have the skills you need to determine if you have a viable defective product case and, if so, to move that case forward. Contact us at (310) 551-0949 for a free consultation to learn more about defective product liability and how to get your case started.