How Do I File a Defective Product Claim in California?

 Posted on March 20, 2025 in Personal Injury

Some accidents are caused by criminal intent while others can be due to negligence. If you suffer injuries because a product you used was defective, it is unfair for you to be left covering the resulting medical costs. In California, injured consumers can seek compensation through a product liability claim. Understanding how these claims work can help victims pursue justice and financial recovery. Speak with a knowledgeable Glendale, CA personal injury lawyer who can review what happened and explain your options.

What Types of Product Defects Qualify?

In California, product liability claims typically involve one or more of the following types of defects:

Design Defects

A design defect makes a product inherently unsafe due to its design, even if it was manufactured correctly. For example, a poorly designed car seat that fails to protect children during an accident could result in a design defect claim.

Manufacturing Defects

These defects occur when a product is designed correctly but is improperly manufactured. This could include contamination during production, missing parts, or assembly mistakes. A ladder with a faulty weld that collapses during use can be valid grounds for a manufacturing defect claim.

Marketing Defects

Otherwise known as "failure to warn", marketing defects are when there are no proper instructions, warnings, or labels informing consumers of potential risks. Medications, cleaning products, and power tools commonly require clear usage instructions and warning labels, without which there could be a marketing defects claim.

What Compensation Could I Receive in a Defective Product Claim?

When you are injured by a defective product, you might suffer financial and non-economic losses. The damages you could be compensated for might include your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases involving extreme negligence or intentional harm, you might also be able to pursue punitive damages. As always, the damages you could receive depend on the details of your specific case and should compensate you for how you have suffered because of your injury.

How Can I Prove Liability in a Defective Product Claim?

California law follows a strict liability standard in many product liability cases. Under this rule, a person who is injured does not need to prove that the manufacturer or seller was negligent, but must demonstrate the following:

• The product had a defect.

• The defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control.

• The defect caused your injuries.

• You were using the product as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, multiple parties can be responsible for your injuries. An experienced lawyer can help you determine whether liability falls with the product’s manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, or retailers. Identifying all potentially liable parties can improve your chances of securing full compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an LA County, CA Defective Product Lawyer

If you are injured by a defective product, speak with a Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney to understand your options. No amount of money can take away the fact that you got injured due to someone else’s negligence, but having your expenses covered and holding the responsible party accountable can be a step towards justice. Call Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. at 818-242-8201 so we can review your case and get started on fighting for maximum compensation.