Holding Manufacturers Accountable for Defective and Dangerous Products

Every product you use—from the car you drive to the appliance in your kitchen to the medication you take—should be safe for its intended use. When manufacturers design, produce, or sell products that are defective or unreasonably dangerous, and consumers are injured as a result, the law holds those manufacturers strictly liable. Product liability claims are among the most powerful tools consumers have to protect themselves and hold corporations accountable.

Types of Product Defects

Product liability claims are based on three types of defects. Design defects exist when the product’s design is inherently unsafe, even when manufactured correctly. A vehicle with a high rollover tendency or a space heater prone to tipping over are examples of design defects. Manufacturing defects occur when a specific product deviates from its intended design during production. A batch of medication contaminated during manufacturing or a tire with a weak spot from a production error are manufacturing defects. Marketing defects, also called failure-to-warn claims, occur when a product lacks adequate warnings or instructions about its risks. A medication sold without disclosure of serious side effects or a power tool without proper safety warnings are examples.

Strict Liability in California

California follows a strict liability standard for product defect cases. This means that an injured consumer does not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent—only that the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury. This standard applies to every entity in the chain of distribution, including the designer, the manufacturer, the distributor, and the retailer. The rationale is that companies who profit from selling products should bear the cost when those products cause harm.

Compensation Available

Product liability claimants may recover compensation for all medical treatment, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, emotional distress, and wrongful death damages. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct—such as a manufacturer that knew about a defect and chose not to fix it—punitive damages may also be available.

If you were injured by a defective product, you have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable. Beverly Wilshire Law APC can evaluate the product, identify the defect, and pursue the compensation you are entitled to under California law. Call (310) 424-5566 or email info@bevwilshire.com for a free consultation—we’re here to guide you in the right direction.