Defective products can cause injuries in Los Angeles County, leaving victims with medical expenses and other losses. Michael D. Waks is a product liability lawyer who helps clients hold manufacturers and distributors accountable for dangerous or faulty products. His firm provides thorough investigation and strong representation to maximize recovery. Call Michael D. Waks at (888) 394-1174 for a free consultation and take action to protect your legal rights after an injury caused by a defective product.

The Role of Manufacturers and Retailers in Product Liability Cases

Product liability cases are an important area of personal injury law in Los Angeles County. When a defective product causes injury, the consequences can be serious, leading to medical bills, lost wages, and lasting physical or emotional harm. Victims often have legal avenues to recover compensation, but navigating these cases requires understanding who can be held responsible and how liability is determined. Manufacturers and retailers play central roles in these claims, and California law holds them accountable under certain circumstances.

What Is Product Liability

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for injuries caused by defective or unsafe products. Liability may arise from design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings and instructions. Unlike other personal injury cases, product liability does not always require proving negligence. In many instances, strict liability applies, meaning the responsible parties can be held liable regardless of whether they exercised reasonable care.

Understanding the different ways a product can be defective is essential for building a strong case.

Types of Product Defects

There are three primary categories of product defects that can lead to injuries:

Design Defects: These occur when a product is inherently unsafe, even if manufactured perfectly. Examples include appliances that overheat easily, vehicles prone to rollovers, or furniture that collapses under normal use.
Manufacturing Defects: These arise when a product deviates from its intended design due to errors during production. A defective batch of medicine, a car with faulty brakes, or a toy with choking hazards are common examples.
Failure to Warn or Inadequate Instructions: Products may be dangerous if manufacturers or retailers fail to provide sufficient warnings or instructions. For instance, chemicals without proper hazard labels or tools sold without safety instructions can lead to accidents.

In each case, both manufacturers and retailers can be implicated in a product liability claim, depending on their role in creating, distributing, or selling the defective product.

The Role of Manufacturers in Product Liability

Manufacturers are often the primary defendants in product liability cases. They design and produce the products, meaning they have a responsibility to ensure the items are safe for their intended use. This duty includes:

Conducting thorough safety testing before releasing products to the market
Following industry standards and regulations
Implementing quality control measures during production
Providing clear instructions and warnings about potential risks

When a product causes injury due to a design flaw or manufacturing error, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable. In other words, the injured party does not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent; it is sufficient to show that the product was defective and caused harm.

Manufacturers may also face liability if they failed to warn consumers about risks. Even if the product is designed correctly, a lack of adequate instructions or warnings can make it unsafe. For example, a power tool without safety instructions or a medication without proper side effect warnings can be the basis for a claim.

The Role of Retailers in Product Liability

Retailers, including stores and online sellers, are also responsible for the products they sell. While they may not manufacture the items, California law allows injured consumers to hold them accountable under certain conditions. Retailers have a duty to:

Sell safe products that comply with safety standards
Avoid distributing obviously defective items
Provide consumers with any safety warnings supplied by the manufacturer
Remove recalled products from shelves promptly

If a retailer sells a product they know or should have known is dangerous, they can be held liable for resulting injuries. Even if the retailer was unaware of a defect, liability may still arise under California’s strict liability rules, particularly if the product caused harm while in the retailer’s control.

Shared Liability Between Manufacturers and Retailers

Product liability cases often involve multiple parties. Injured consumers may file claims against both the manufacturer and the retailer to maximize the chances of recovering full compensation. Courts recognize that both entities play a role in bringing the defective product to market. For instance:

A defective appliance may have been designed improperly by the manufacturer and sold by a retailer who failed to warn about risks.
A contaminated food product may involve negligence in both production and distribution.
A defective children’s toy may carry liability for design flaws, poor quality control, and inadequate labeling.

In such cases, liability can be apportioned among the parties according to their degree of responsibility. California law follows a comparative fault approach, meaning damages may be adjusted if multiple parties share responsibility for the injury.

Types of Compensation in Product Liability Cases

Victims of defective products may pursue compensation for a range of damages, including:

Medical Expenses: Immediate treatment, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation costs.
Lost Income: Wages lost due to the injury and potential future loss of earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Property Damage: If the defective product damaged personal property.
Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious misconduct, courts may award additional damages to punish reckless behavior and deter similar conduct.

The goal of product liability claims is to make victims whole and ensure that those responsible for unsafe products are held accountable.

Steps to Take After a Product-Related Injury

If you are injured by a defective product, immediate action is critical to protect your legal rights:

Seek Medical Care: Prompt treatment ensures your health and documents injuries for your claim.
Preserve the Product: Keep the defective product in its current state, along with any packaging, receipts, and labels. This evidence is crucial.
Document the Incident: Take photographs of the product, your injuries, and the location of the incident. Collect witness statements if possible.
Report the Injury: Notify the manufacturer or retailer about the incident in writing.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: Experienced legal counsel can help determine liability, gather evidence, and guide you through the claims process.

The Importance of Legal Representation

Product liability claims can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved or when manufacturers and retailers dispute responsibility. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts, delay proceedings, or deny claims entirely.

A skilled personal injury attorney in Los Angeles County can evaluate the case, identify liable parties, and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Attorneys can also work with experts to assess product defects, reconstruct accidents, and navigate legal standards to strengthen the case.

Demand Justice with a Los Angeles County Product Liability Attorney

If a defective product caused your injury, you deserve to hold the manufacturer accountable. Michael D. Waks, an experienced Los Angeles County product liability attorney, has the skill and determination to fight for the compensation you need. His firm provides thorough case preparation and aggressive representation to protect your rights. Contact Michael D. Waks at (888) 394-1174 for a free consultation and take action against negligent manufacturers today.