Protecting Vulnerable Consumers Since 2007
Cars, food, and even appliances are essential for most people. We keep these products in our homes, and trust our loved ones with these household items, reassured that big companies and manufacturers take care of designing and manufacturing each item safely.
When a product defect accident happens, it can leave behind serious injuries and major expenses. A product defect attorney in Los Angeles from BD&J can help you through the legal process.
Key Takeaways
- Product defects involve flaws in the design of an item or its manufacturing process, or if there were defects in the marketing of the product and failure to warn about dangers with product usage
- Between January and May 2026, there have been 28 food recall incidents in Los Angeles County, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department
- Product defect accidents can lead to burns, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, organ damage, and more
- A product defect lawyer in Los Angeles can help you file a claim for compensation after a defective product incident
What Are Product Defects?
Product defects occur when an item has:
- Flaws in its design
- Is manufactured incorrectly, such as being tainted with a harmful substance or missing a vital component to its function
- Was not marketed correctly, or lacks adequate warnings for hidden dangers with the product’s use
Hurt while using an unsafe product? Let the Los Angeles product liability attorneys from BD&J help! Schedule your FREE consultation now.
Common Product Defect Injuries
With the use of defective products, including hair styling products, foods, and cars, the risk of accidents that lead to severe injuries grows. Common product defect injuries include:
- Catastrophic injuries
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Spine injuries
If a defective product led to the death of a loved one, a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney can guide you on the next legal steps to take to seek justice. You never have to deal with the aftermath of a fatal accident alone.
Typical Defective Products
Some of the products that most frequently have defects or recalls include:
- Cars
- Food products, including baby food and formula
- Toys
- Medications
- Appliances
- Power tools
Over 267,000 toy-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms throughout the nation in 2024 alone. According to a report by CARFAX, about 1 in 5 vehicles throughout the nation have an unresolved recall.
Product defects can impact anyone anywhere, and at any time. When defective products hurt us or our loved ones, who can be legally responsible?
Who Could Be Liable in a Product Defect Accident?
There’s a chain of parties who could ultimately be responsible for a product defect that leads to injuries.
Parties who could be held legally responsible in a lawsuit include:
- The designer of the product for the initial flawed blueprint of the item
- The manufacturer of the product for improper manufacturing, missing parts to an item, exposing the products to harmful substances, etc.
- The product distributor for mishandling the products or failing to provide adequate warnings about products if they’re repackaged or relabeled for sale
- The retailer that carries a defective product for sale, even if they had no hand in the design or manufacture of it
Who’s liable for your product defect accident? Call BD&J in Los Angeles today.
Can Los Angeles Product Defect Lawyers Help Me Obtain More Compensation?
Absolutely, in fact, working with an attorney can allow you to recover 3 to 4 times more compensation than you would alone. This is because product defect attorneys have access to valuable resources, including:
- Expert witnesses who can aid in accident reconstruction, attesting to a lifelong prognosis from injuries, and the impact of an injury on a plaintiff’s life
- Accident reconstruction software
- Financial resources to advance your case on a contingency fee basis
- Experienced negotiation skills when it comes to dealing with insurance company policies and other legal teams
4 Things to Avoid During a Product Defect Attorney Consultation
Reputable product defect law firms in Los Angeles will often provide potential clients the opportunity to talk to an attorney through an initial consultation free of charge.
Bringing questions, a detailed account of your accident, and medical bills are just some of the helpful things to bring to a consultation. However, 4 things you should avoid doing during your attorney consultation include:
- Withholding details of the events. – Remember, the attorney is going to want all the details of the accident, so it’s important to be upfront and honest. This includes relevant background information, such as how you were using the product and your immigration status, if needed. Remember: no matter your immigration status, you always have the right to bring a personal injury claim, and your status will never be held against you.
- Withholding a pre-existing condition. – Many people think a pre-existing condition or injury stops them from filing a personal injury claim, but this is not the case.
- Arguing with an attorney. – Attorneys have the legal expertise and years of experience to be upfront about a case and possible compensation, so avoid arguing or combative conversations with an attorney who is listening to your story. If you disagree with an attorney’s assessment, you are always able to seek a second opinion.
- Interrupting the conversation. – Much like arguing, interrupting a conversation prevents an attorney from disclosing the proper information of a case and providing you with legal advice.
BD&J product liability attorneys are available now to help you learn more about bringing a case. Connect with our team 24/7!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Product Defects Happen?
Product defects often occur because of human error or negligence, such as workers failing to assemble a product properly, not catching any broken parts of a product, or when there is unintended cross-contamination with hazardous materials.
Inadequate materials or intentional failure to follow safety standards can also lead to defective products.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Product Defect Accident?
Some of the damages you can recover after a product defect accident include current and future medical expenses, loss of wages, decreased quality of life, physical rehabilitation, and pain and suffering.
How Long Do I Have to File a Product Defect Claim?
You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim.
Does California Have Any Laws for Product Defects?
Yes, California has a few laws directly related to product defects.
The stream of commerce doctrine holds local state retailers responsible for product defects even if they didn’t design or manufacture the product. The Lemon Law (also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) requires car manufacturers to buy back or replace defective vehicles if they cannot be fixed within a reasonable number of attempts.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries from Defective Products?
Catastrophic injuries are injuries that permanently alter your life after an accident, including serious burns, disfigurement, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries. What sets these injuries apart from others is their permanence and often lifelong care.
How Can I Establish a Defective Product Claim?
To establish a claim, you must prove that a defect in a product directly caused your injuries, even while you were using the product correctly. Additionally, your lawyer may be able to prove that the manufacturer may have known about the defect and sold it anyway.
What Can the BD&J Team Do for My Case?
BD&J is the trusted Los Angeles personal injury law firm that has recovered more than $3 billion* in compensation for clients. We handle each case with care and diligence, working closely with clients to ensure the legal fight is for the maximum compensation possible.
Do I Have to Pay Upfront to Work with BD&J?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we advance all case costs and recover final attorney fees from the compensation amount after a case settles. This means less financial stress for you, and no upfront fees*.
How To Identify Defective Household Products
While not every defective product is visible or recognizable right away, there are some key details that could give away a problem with a product. Identify defects on common household items through the following steps:
- Check for visible signs of damage. – If you’re dealing with an appliance, tool, or other similar object, check the exterior or interior of the product for signs of damage like cracks, tears, mold, and rust.
- Keep your nose up for any odd smells. – If you’re in a car or using an appliance, pay attention to any odd smells around you at the time of usage, like burning plastic, something rotting, mildew, etc.
- Look up any current recalls. – Checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the FDA sites for recalls on food, cars, and other products can help you learn more about any notices you may have missed.
- Speak to a Los Angeles product defect lawyer after an accident. – Not all product defects are detectable, of course, and once you or a loved one has been injured from what you thought was a safe product, it’s time to sit down with a Los Angeles product defect attorney and discuss your case.
Los Angeles Product Liability Attorneys with More than $3 Billion* Recovered in Compensation
As consumers, we have faith that the products we buy, from our cars to our groceries, are safe for us and our households. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
If you suffered a serious injury as the consequence of a product defect, speak with the Los Angeles product defect attorneys from BD&J. Call us now at 855-906-3699 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.