California Product Liability Lawyers

Injured By a Dangerous or Defective Product?

At Alvandi Law Group, P.C., we understand that product liability cases can have a significant impact on your life. When you or a loved one is harmed by a defective or dangerous product, it's crucial to seek experienced legal representation to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Our team of dedicated Irvine product liability lawyers is here to guide you through the legal process and advocate for your safety.

Call (800) 980-6905 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

Understanding Product Liability

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for any harm or injuries caused to consumers by products they have designed, manufactured, marketed, or sold. When a product is found to be defective, dangerous, or lacks adequate warnings or instructions, and this defect or lack of warning results in harm to a consumer or user, it can give rise to a product liability claim.

Product liability laws are in place to protect consumers from unsafe or faulty products and to ensure that those who suffer injuries or losses due to such products have a legal remedy. The concept of product liability is designed to encourage companies to produce safe and reliable products and to hold them accountable when they fail to do so.

There are typically three primary categories of product liability claims:

• Design Defects: These claims involve products that are inherently flawed due to their design, making them unsafe for their intended use. Design defects affect an entire line or class of products, meaning that all items within the same product category are potentially dangerous.
• Manufacturing Defects: Manufacturing defects occur during the production or assembly of a product. These defects can affect individual products or batches and can make them unsafe, even if the product's original design was sound.
• Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn): A marketing defect, also known as a "failure to warn" claim, pertains to cases where the product was marketed improperly or lacked adequate warnings and instructions regarding its proper use. If consumers are not adequately informed about potential risks associated with the product's use, it may lead to harm.

Product liability claims typically revolve around proving that a product was defective or unsafe in one of these ways and that this defect directly led to an injury, property damage, or financial loss.

To succeed in a product liability lawsuit, the injured party generally needs to demonstrate:

• The product was defective or unreasonably dangerous in its design, manufacture, or marketing.
• The product was being used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner.
• The defect or lack of warning was a direct cause of the injuries or losses suffered.
• The injured party suffered actual harm or damages.

California Strict Liability Law

Strict liability in California, often referred to as "strict product liability," is a legal doctrine that holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible for injuries or damages caused by defective or unreasonably dangerous products, regardless of whether they were negligent. This means that in California, if a product is found to be defective or unreasonably dangerous and causes harm to a consumer, the responsible parties can be held liable without the need to prove negligence or fault on their part.

Unlike negligence claims, where the injured party must prove that the defendant was negligent in some way, strict liability claims do not require the injured party to prove that the responsible parties acted negligently or carelessly. It is sufficient to show that the product was defective and caused harm.

Common Defective Products

Defective products can encompass a wide range of consumer goods and items, including everyday products, industrial equipment, medical devices, and more. Here are some common examples of defective products in various categories:

• Automotive Products:
  • Takata Airbags: Faulty airbags manufactured by Takata led to explosions and shrapnel release during airbag deployment, causing numerous injuries and fatalities.
  • Defective Tires: Tires with manufacturing defects can lead to blowouts, loss of control, and accidents.
  • Brake Failures: Malfunctioning brake systems can result in accidents and injuries due to the inability to stop or slow down a vehicle.
• Medical Devices:
  • Hip Implants: Some hip replacement implants have been known to deteriorate prematurely, leading to pain, inflammation, and additional surgeries.
  • Transvaginal Mesh: Defective transvaginal mesh products have caused severe complications and injuries in women.
  • Defective Medical Equipment: Malfunctioning medical devices, such as infusion pumps or defibrillators, can pose serious risks to patients.
• Pharmaceuticals:
  • Dangerous Drugs: Pharmaceuticals with undisclosed side effects or unreasonably dangerous side effects can cause significant harm. Notable examples include Vioxx and Thalidomide.
  • Contaminated Medications: Contaminated or mislabeled medications can lead to health problems or worsening of medical conditions.
• Consumer Products:
  • Children's Toys: Toys with small parts that pose choking hazards, toxic materials, or lead paint are examples of defective consumer products.
  • Appliances: Malfunctioning household appliances, such as stoves or washing machines, can result in fires, electrical shock, or injuries.
• Electronics:
  • Batteries: Defective lithium-ion batteries can overheat, explode, or catch fire, causing harm to consumers and property damage.
  • Cell Phones: Faulty cell phones can have overheating issues, posing risks of burns and fire.
• Industrial Equipment:
  • Construction Equipment: Defects in heavy machinery, like cranes or forklifts, can lead to worksite accidents and injuries.
  • Power Tools: Malfunctioning power tools can result in accidents and severe injuries to workers.
• Food Products:
  • Contaminated Food: Food products contaminated with harmful bacteria or foreign objects can cause foodborne illnesses and injuries.
  • Allergen Mislabeling: Incorrect labeling of allergenic ingredients can lead to allergic reactions in consumers.
• Household Chemicals:
  • Cleaning Products: Defective cleaning products can release toxic fumes or cause chemical burns.
  • Pesticides: Malfunctioning or improperly labeled pesticides can result in poisoning and health issues.
• Children's Products:
  • Car Seats: Defective car seats can fail to protect children in accidents.
  • Cribs and Baby Products: Cribs with dangerous designs or baby products with choking hazards can harm infants and toddlers.
• Toxic Substances:
  • Asbestos Products: Asbestos-containing materials, when damaged or deteriorated, can release harmful fibers that lead to mesothelioma and other serious health issues.
  • Lead Paint: Lead-based paint, especially in older homes, can result in lead poisoning, particularly in children.

It's essential to be aware of recalls, safety warnings, and product defects to protect yourself and your family. In the event that you believe you've been harmed by a defective product, it's advisable to consult with a product liability attorney to explore your legal options and seek compensation for any injuries or damages suffered.