California Product Liability Lawyer
Defective and dangerous products can cause serious injuries and life-altering consequences. At Ellis Riccobono, LLP, our California product liability lawyers represent individuals harmed by unsafe consumer products, automotive defects, and industrial equipment. We take on manufacturers, distributors, and corporations to hold them accountable for negligence and design failures.
Proven Results in Complex Litigation
Ellis Riccobono, LLP has extensive experience handling complex, high-stakes litigation against large corporations and institutional defendants. The firm has recovered more than $1.7 billion for clients in cases involving utility companies and other major entities, demonstrating the resources and expertise needed to take on powerful opponents.
In product liability cases, we apply that same level of investigation, strategy, and aggressive advocacy to hold manufacturers and distributors accountable for dangerous and defective products.
What Is a Product Liability Claim?
A product liability claim arises when a defective or dangerous product causes injury to a consumer. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have a legal obligation to ensure that products placed on the market are safe for use. When they fail to meet this responsibility, they can be held liable for resulting injuries.
Product liability claims typically fall into three categories: design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn. Understanding the nature of the defect is essential in building a strong case.
Common Types of Product Defect Cases We Handle
Product liability claims can arise from a wide range of consumer, industrial, and medical products. Our California product liability attorneys represent individuals injured by defective or dangerous products across many industries, including:
- Defective vehicle components – Faulty airbags, brakes, tires, seatbelts, electrical systems, and other auto parts that fail and cause serious injuries.
- Dangerous medical devices – Implanted or wearable devices that malfunction, migrate, break, or were improperly designed or tested.
- Defective consumer products – Household items, electronics, tools, children’s products, and appliances that pose unreasonable safety risks.
- Industrial and workplace equipment – Heavy machinery, safety equipment, or tools that fail due to design or manufacturing defects.
- Pharmaceutical defects – Prescription medications with dangerous side effects that were not adequately disclosed or warned against.
- Design defects – flaws inherent in the product’s design
- Manufacturing defects – errors that occur during production
- Failure to warn – inadequate instructions or missing safety warnings
Product liability cases often involve serious injuries, long-term medical care, or permanent disability. Identifying the type of defect and the product involved is a critical first step in determining liability and potential compensation. Our attorneys work with experts to identify and prove how the defect caused injury.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a California for a Defective Product?
In California product liability cases, responsibility may extend beyond the manufacturer. Multiple parties involved in the production and distribution process can potentially be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product.
Depending on the facts of the case, liable parties may include:
- Product manufacturers – Companies that design or produce the defective product or its component parts.
- Distributors and wholesalers – Entities that supply or transport the product through the supply chain.
- Retailers – Stores or sellers that place the defective product into the hands of consumers.
- Component part manufacturers – Companies that manufacture defective parts used within a larger product.
California’s product liability laws allow injured consumers to pursue claims against one or multiple responsible parties. Identifying every liable entity is often essential to recovering full compensation, particularly in cases involving serious or catastrophic injuries. Our firm conducts detailed investigations to identify all responsible parties and pursue full compensation from each liable entity.
What Compensation Is Available in California Product Liability Cases?
Individuals injured by defective products may be entitled to compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional harm they have suffered. In California product liability cases, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses – Past and future costs related to hospital care, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost income – Wages lost due to time away from work, as well as diminished earning capacity caused by long-term injuries.
- Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement – Damages for long-term or lifelong impairments caused by the defective product.
- Wrongful death damages – In fatal cases, surviving family members may seek compensation for loss of financial support, companionship, and funeral expenses.
The value of a product liability claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and the available evidence. A California product liability attorney can help evaluate potential damages and pursue full compensation under the law.
What to Do If You Were Injured by a Defective Product
If you were injured by a defective or dangerous product, taking the right steps early can help protect both your health and your legal rights. Consider the following actions:
- Seek medical attention immediately
Your health comes first. Prompt medical care also creates documentation linking your injuries to the defective product. - Preserve the product and packaging
Do not repair, alter, or discard the product. Preserve it, along with manuals, warnings, receipts, and packaging, as it may serve as critical evidence. - Document the incident
Take photographs of the product, your injuries, and the scene where the incident occurred. Keep records of medical visits, expenses, and missed work. - Avoid discussing the incident with manufacturers or insurers
Statements made to companies or insurance adjusters may be used to limit or deny liability. - Consult a California product liability attorney
An experienced attorney can evaluate whether the product was defective, identify all responsible parties, and determine the appropriate legal strategy based on California law.
Product liability cases often involve complex investigations, expert analysis, and corporate defendants. Early legal guidance can help ensure evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.
Product Liability Lawyers Serving Ventura County and Los Angeles County
Product liability cases are complex. They often involve powerful corporate defendants, technical evidence, and expert testimony. Choosing the right legal team can make a significant difference in how a case is handled and resolved.
Ellis Riccobono, LLP represents individuals and families harmed by defective products throughout Southern California, including Ventura County and Los Angeles County. With offices in Westlake Village and Manhattan Beach, our firm is positioned to serve clients across both regions.
Product-related injuries can occur anywhere—from defective vehicle components on busy Los Angeles freeways to dangerous consumer products used in homes throughout Ventura County. Our attorneys understand how to investigate these cases, identify responsible parties, and pursue full compensation for our clients.
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Trial-focused representation – We are not a settlement-only firm and prepare cases with litigation in mind from day one.
- Thorough investigation – We work with engineers, medical experts, and industry professionals to identify defects and establish liability.
- Personalized legal guidance – Every case is different, and we take the time to understand how an injury has impacted your life.
- No upfront legal fees – We handle product liability cases on a contingency basis, meaning there are no fees unless compensation is recovered.
Our goal is to hold manufacturers and other responsible parties accountable while helping injured clients pursue the compensation they deserve under California law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability in California
What qualifies as a product liability case in California?
A product liability case may arise when a consumer is injured by a product that is defectively designed, improperly manufactured, or sold without adequate warnings or instructions. Under California law, a product does not need to be negligently made to be considered defective.
Do I need to prove negligence in a California product liability case?
Not always. California follows a strict liability standard in many product liability cases, meaning an injured person may only need to prove that the product was defective and that the defect caused their injury.
Who can be sued in a product liability claim?
Depending on the circumstances, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and component part manufacturers may all be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product.
How long do I have to file a product liability lawsuit in California?
In most cases, California law requires product liability claims to be filed within two years of the date of injury. Certain exceptions may apply, so it’s important to consult a product liability attorney as soon as possible.
What compensation can I recover in a product liability case?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and, in some cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members.
Do I need a lawyer for a product liability claim?
Product liability cases are often complex and involve large corporations, technical evidence, and expert testimony. An experienced attorney can investigate the defect, identify responsible parties, and pursue full compensation on your behalf.
How much does it cost to hire a product liability attorney?
At Ellis Riccobono, LLP, product liability cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and you do not pay attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered.
Speak With a California Product Liability Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, you may have the right to pursue compensation. The attorneys at Ellis Riccobono, LLP have the experience and resources to take on complex product liability cases and fight for the results you deserve.
ER Trial Lawyers handles product liability cases on a contingency fee basis—there are no upfront costs, and no legal fees unless compensation is recovered.
Contact Our Firm to Learn More
If there is no recovery, then there are never any fees or costs to you.
