Los Angeles Product Liability Lawyer
You trust the products you bring into your home to be safe, and when they fail, the physical, emotional, and financial impact can be significant. Our Los Angeles product liability lawyers at The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker help individuals understand their legal rights and options after injuries involving defective products.
- We have 50+ years of experience representing accident victims across Los Angeles.
- More than $2 billion recovered in settlements and verdicts for clients in personal injury matters.*
- Many personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees may depend on the outcome of the case.
Call us to schedule a free consultation.
*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
A Law Firm You Can Trust
The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker has been a longstanding name in Los Angeles personal injury law since 1972. Over the past decades, we’ve represented thousands of injured clients across Los Angeles and have handled complex injury cases. Our bilingual team is available to speak with clients and provide support throughout the legal process.
Defective products can cause far more than financial loss—they can cause serious harm. A faulty appliance may ignite without warning, a vehicle part may malfunction on a busy Los Angeles freeway, or a children’s toy may become dangerous. Injuries from these products may involve physical pain, emotional distress, and uncertainty about what comes next.
A Los Angeles product liability attorney can help review the circumstances, preserve evidence, and explain the legal options available if a defective product caused an injury.
What To Do After a Defective Product Injury in Los Angeles
When a product fails and causes harm, the steps you take can affect both your recovery and any potential product liability claim. Here is how to protect your health and rights after an accident:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even minor-looking injuries can worsen over time. Getting medical care protects your health and creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident caused by the defective product.
- Save the Product and All Components:Keep the product exactly as it is, including the packaging, instructions, receipts, manuals, and any broken parts. This evidence can be important in determining how the accident occurred.
- Document Everything: Take photos of your injuries, the product, the scene, and any property damage. It may also help to write down what happened, how you’re feeling, and how the injury has affected your daily life.
- Check for Recalls: If the product has been recalled, save a copy of the recall notice. Manufacturers may release these when they discover safety issues, and this documentation may be relevant to your case.
- Be Cautious When Speaking With Manufacturers or Insurers: Companies may try to limit their responsibility or offer early settlements. Consider speaking with an attorney before giving statements or accepting offers.
- Contact a Los Angeles Product Liability Lawyer:An attorney can help preserve evidence, investigate the defect, and explain the next steps that may be available under California law.
Common Causes of Product Liability in Los Angeles
Consumer products injure millions of people across the country every year, and reports from the National Safety Council show that product-related emergency department visits rose to 15.1 million in 2024, reversing declines seen in prior years. In a densely populated city like Los Angeles, where residents rely heavily on vehicles, electronics, mobility devices, and household products, defective items can create serious risks.
Three types of defects can turn an unsafe product into a product liability claim:
- Design Defects: Products with flawed blueprints can be dangerous even when used as intended. In Los Angeles, with over 1.4 million households, poorly designed furniture, children’s products, or electronics can create serious hazards. Unstable dressers can tip in tight apartments, and design-flawed batteries in e-bikes, scooters, or home devices can overheat and ignite, causing injuries and fires that may impact multiple units.
- Manufacturing Defects:These defects occur when something goes wrong during production and quality control does not catch the problem. In metro areas where millions of residents rely on cars for daily transportation, defective auto parts can pose serious risks. Faulty brakes, improperly assembled airbags, defective tires, or malfunctioning steering components may fail unexpectedly on high-speed corridors like the I-405, I-5, or I-110.
- Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn Defects): Some products become hazardous when companies fail to provide proper warnings or clear instructions. In a city as diverse as Los Angeles, where products are used by people with different backgrounds, languages, and experiences, missing or unclear safety instructions may put consumers at risk.
Common Injuries Caused by Defective Products
Defective products can cause a wide range of injuries, many of which may require immediate medical care and long-term treatment. These injuries can happen without warning, leaving victims and their families dealing with significant disruption.
- Burns: Faulty electronics, overheating batteries, or malfunctioning appliances can ignite or short circuit, causing thermal or electrical burns. These injuries may lead to scarring, infections, and long recovery periods.
- Lacerations and Cuts: Products with broken parts, or substandard construction tools, glassware, or plastic components may shatter or split unexpectedly, causing wounds, deep cuts, or lacerations.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Poorly designed furniture, defective equipment, faulty safety gear, or malfunctioning vehicle parts can lead to head trauma. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can impact memory, coordination, and cognitive function.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Structural defects in furniture, collapsing products, malfunctioning tools, or defective vehicle parts can cause falls, impacts, or crush injuries that result in broken bones, fractures, and joint or spinal damage.
- Poisoning and Toxic Exposure: Contaminated materials, defective packaging, or insufficient warnings on household chemical products or children’s items can expose users to toxic substances, leading to poisoning, chemical burns, or long-term health issues.
- Choking: Defective children’s toys, small detachable parts, or poorly constructed baby items may break or detach easily, posing choking or suffocation hazards to infants and young children.
- Organ Damage: Serious defects in medical devices, appliances, or structural products can cause internal injuries or organ damage due to trauma, toxic exposure, or critical malfunctions. Some medications can also damage organs when used or prescribed improperly.
When Does a Defective Product Become a Product Liability Claim?
A defective product may become a product liability claim when an unsafe item causes an injury that could have been prevented if the company responsible had taken proper care. If a product has a flawed design, was manufactured incorrectly, or does not include clear warnings or instructions, and that defect causes harm, the injured person may have the right to pursue a claim. This can apply to a wide range of products, including household appliances, children’s items, power tools, electronics, vehicle parts, medical devices, and more.
When a business places an unreasonably dangerous product into the hands of consumers, it may be held legally responsible under California law.
What Negligence Means in a Product Liability Claim
Everyone involved in the chain of distribution has legal duties to help ensure the products they make and sell are reasonably safe for use. This includes proper testing, quality control, accurate labeling, and clear instructions. When a company cuts corners, fails to follow safety standards, ignores known risks, or does not warn consumers about potential dangers, it may breach that duty of care. If that conduct leads to injuries, the affected consumer may have grounds to pursue a product liability claim.
How to Prove Liability to Recover Compensation
To recover compensation in a product liability case, your legal team must show that:
Duty of Care: The company or individual responsible had a legal obligation to design, manufacture, or sell a reasonably safe product.
Breach of Duty: They failed to meet that obligation due to a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or inadequate warnings or instructions.
Causation: The defect directly caused your injuries, meaning the product failed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous.
Damages: You suffered real harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, or long-term physical limitations.
Building a product liability claim often requires careful investigation, expert analysis, and a clear understanding of how the defect occurred. A Los Angeles product liability attorney can assist with preserving evidence, investigating the product defect, and explaining the legal options available while you focus on recovery.
Who May Be Liable for Injuries Caused by a Defective Product?
When a defective product causes an injury, responsibility is not always limited to a single company. Several parties may have been involved in placing the product into the hands of consumers, and each may be examined depending on how the defect occurred.
- Manufacturers and Designers: These companies are responsible for creating the product or its components. If the design is unsafe or the manufacturing process introduces defects, they may be held liable.
- Retailers: Stores that sell defective or unsafe products may also be involved in a product liability claim, even if they were not directly involved in the design or manufacturing process.
- Distributors and Wholesalers: Businesses that move the product along the supply chain may share responsibility if the product reached consumers in a defective condition.
- Supplier: Companies that provide raw materials or component parts may be involved if their materials contributed to the defect.
- Sales Representatives: Individuals or entities involved in marketing or promoting the product may face scrutiny if misleading information was provided or important safety information was not communicated.
- Independent Testing Laboratories: Some products undergo third-party testing before reaching the market. If a testing laboratory fails to detect a hazard or certifies a product that later proves unsafe, they may be examined in connection with the claim.
- Labeling Companies: When warnings, instructions, or safety labels are incorrect, unclear, or missing, failure-to-warn issues may arise.
Companies involved in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of consumer products have responsibilities related to product safety. When a product defect causes injury, a product liability attorney from The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker can help investigate the circumstances, identify potentially responsible parties, and help pursue available compensation, depending on the facts.
Damages You Can Recover in a Product Liability Claim
Injuries caused by defective products can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including health, income, and daily activities. California law allows individuals to seek recovery for various types of damages in a product liability claim.
Economic Damages
These relate to measurable financial losses connected to the injury.
- Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment.
- Future Medical Care: Estimated costs for follow-up procedures, long-term treatment, or continuing care needs.
- Lost Wages: Income lost while recovering from injuries.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: If injuries affect the ability to return to previous employment or maintain the same earning potential.
- Property Damage: Costs associated with property destroyed or damaged by the defective product.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Additional expenses related to the injury, such as transportation to medical appointments or specialized equipment.
Non-Economic Damages
These address personal losses that do not have a specific financial value.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort related to the injury and treatment.
- Emotional Distress: Psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, fear, or trauma.
- Disfigurement or Scarring: Permanent physical changes that may affect daily life or appearance.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Reduced ability to participate in activities or hobbies that were previously part of everyday life.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Psychological effects that may arise after a traumatic incident.
Punitive Damages
In limited situations, courts may award punitive damages when conduct is found to be particularly reckless or intentional. These damages are intended to penalize misconduct and discourage similar behavior.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Product Liabilities
In California, most product liability cases must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. This deadline generally applies whether the injury was caused by a household product, vehicle component, appliance, medical device, or other consumer item.
If a government entity is involved, the time limit may be significantly shorter. In many situations, a formal claim must be filed within six months. Because these deadlines are strict, speaking with an attorney early can help ensure that filing requirements are met and evidence is preserved.
Call us at 562-620-5912 or fill out our contact form today. Our team is available to answer your questions.
Why You Need a Los Angeles Product Liability Lawyer
Product liability cases can be complex, and companies often have legal teams working to protect their interests. They may challenge a claim, argue that a product was used incorrectly, or dispute whether the product was defective. Handling this process alone can feel overwhelming, especially while recovering from an injury.
A Los Angeles product liability lawyer can help investigate the circumstances surrounding the defect, gather evidence, and explain the legal options that may be available. Legal counsel may also assist with communicating with manufacturers, insurers, and other parties involved in the claim.
Here’s how product liability lawyers may assist:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the product defect and identify potentially responsible parties.
- Preserve evidence, including the product itself and related documentation.
- Work with engineers, medical experts, and product specialists to analyze how the defect occurred.
- Communicate with manufacturers, distributors, and insurance companies regarding the claim.
- Prepare documentation and evidence supporting the claim.
Legal representation can help ensure that your rights are protected while you focus on recovery.
How Our Law Firm Builds Your Case
Our law firm follows a structured process to review claims and gather the information necessary to pursue a product liability case.
- Case Evaluation: During an initial consultation, we review what happened, discuss the available information, and explain potential legal options.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our team works to collect available evidence, including the product itself, photographs, medical records, purchase receipts, recall notices, and related documentation.
- Working with Experts: In some cases, we consult engineers, product safety specialists, and medical professionals to better understand how the defect occurred and how it contributed to the injury.
- Calculating Your Damages: We review documentation relating to medical treatment, lost income, and other damages connected to the injury.
- Negotiating with Companies and Insurers: Our attorneys communicate with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and insurers regarding the claim.
- Preparing for Litigation: If the claim cannot be resolved through negotiation, the case may proceed through the court process.
Why Choose Us
When considering a product liability law firm, many people look for legal teams with experience handling complex injury cases.
- Over 50 Years Serving Los Angeles: Our firm has represented injured individuals in Los Angeles since 1972.
- Multilingual Team: Our bilingual staff supports communication with clients from diverse communities.
- Case Results: Our firm has recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients in personal injury matters.*
- Full-Service Support: We assist clients with documentation, claim coordination, and communication related to their case.
- Personalized Attention: Our team works to understand each client’s situation and provide responsive support throughout the legal process.
You may contact our office at 562-620-5912 or fill out our contact form for a free initial consultation.
*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Client Testimonials
Words from our past clients are testimonies to the work we do for our clients.
“ From the moment I called them to the moment the case finished, they took care of everything and I got the proper care and compensation for my time. There’s a reason they are top notch in what they do and it seems that they will be there for years to come.” – E. Castro
Client testimonials describe individual experiences and should not be interpreted as guarantees of similar outcomes.
Product Liability Lawyer Near Me
Our team represents clients throughout Los Angeles County. Whether an incident occurred in Downtown LA, the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, East Los Angeles, South LA, or surrounding communities, our team can assist with reviewing your legal options.
Central Los Angeles & Core Business Hubs
- Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)
- Century City
- Mid-Wilshire / Miracle Mile
- Koreatown
Westside & The “Silicon Beach” Corridor
- Beverly Hills
- Santa Monica
- Culver City
- Playa Vista
- Westwood
- Malibu
San Fernando Valley (The Valley) & North County
- Burbank
- Studio City / Sherman Oaks
- Woodland Hills / Warner Center
- Santa Clarita
South Bay & Harbor Area
- Torrance
- El Segundo / LAX Corridor
- Long Beach
- Inglewood
- San Pedro
San Gabriel Valley (SGV) & Northeast
- Pasadena
- Glendale
- Alhambra / Monterey Park
- East Los Angeles (Unincorporated Area Focus)
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability Claims
What if I was partially at fault for causing my injuries?
You may still recover compensation. California follows a comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be adjusted based on your level of responsibility, but you are not necessarily barred from filing a claim.
Do I need a police report to file a product liability claim?
A police report can be helpful evidence, but it is not required. Claims can also rely on other forms of documentation such as medical records, photographs, witness statements, and evidence related to the defective product.
How long will my product liability case take?
Every case is different. The timeline may depend on the type of defect involved, the severity of injuries, and how the parties respond during negotiations or litigation.
Can I still file a claim if I acquired the product second-hand?
In many situations, you still may be able to file a claim. Manufacturers and other parties in the chain of distribution may still be responsible for defects even if you were not the original purchaser.
What is considered a defective product?
A product may be considered defective if it is unreasonably dangerous due to a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or inadequate warnings or instructions.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Fee arrangements and costs are discussed during the consultation so you can understand how representation works before deciding how to proceed.
We’ll Fight for You
If a defective product caused your injury, speaking with a product liability attorney can help you understand your legal rights and the options that may be available.
- Consultations Available
- Contingency Fee Basis
- 24/7 Availability
You may contact our office at 562-620-5912 or complete the online contact form to learn more about your options.
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