San Diego Product Liability Attorneys

Under product liability law, injured consumers can recover damages from any party in the chain of commerce who is responsible for the defective product—that is, anyone who contributed to putting the defective product into consumers’ hands.

Although most product liability claims are brought against manufacturers, distributors and retailers can also be held liable under certain circumstances. If you were injured due to a defective product, you should speak with an experienced San Diego product liability lawyer right away. The attorneys at Gomez Trial Lawyers are here to help.

Compensation In a Product Liability Claim

Three primary types of compensation may be recoverable in a product liability claim: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

The purpose of economic damages is to reimburse a victim for their financial losses. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In some cases, economic damages include future losses such as the loss of earning capacity if a victim is left unable to work or return to the same or a similar position due to their injuries.

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate a victim for their intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These types of damages can be more difficult to quantify than economic damages but are no less important.

Punitive damages may also be available in some cases but are typically only awarded when the defendant’s actions are found to be particularly reckless or egregious.

How much you will receive in your product liability claim depends on the specific facts and circumstances of your case. A number of different factors will be taken into account, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, the amount of lost wages, and the impact that your injuries have had on your quality of life.

If you have suffered permanent injuries or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation. The best way to determine how much your claim is worth is to speak with an experienced product liability attorney.

What to Do After a Defective Product Injury

If you’ve been injured by a defective product, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. Consider taking the following actions:

1. Get Medical Help

The first thing you need to do is seek medical attention for your injuries. This will not only ensure that you get the treatment you need, but it will also create a record of your injuries, which will be important if you decide to pursue a product liability claim.

2. Notify the Manufacturer or Seller

Once you’ve sought medical attention, the next step is to notify the manufacturer or seller of the defective product. You should do this in writing and keep a copy of your correspondence for your records.

3. Gather Evidence

It’s important to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. This may include things like medical records, photographs of the defective product, and receipts or other documentation showing that you purchased the product.

4. Speak with an Experienced Attorney

After you’ve gathered all the evidence, it’s time to speak with an experienced product liability attorney. They can help you understand your legal rights and discuss next steps with you. An attorney can also negotiate with the manufacturers on your behalf and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Product Liability FAQs

How do you win a product liability lawsuit?

Winning a product liability lawsuit depends on the specifics of the case and what type of defect was present.

Design Defect Claims

In a design defect claim, the victim is alleging that the product was defective by design. In other words, the injury was caused by a flaw in the overall design of the product. To win a design defect claim, you must prove that:

• The product was defectively designed;
• You were using the product as intended/in a foreseeable manner;
• The design defect was a proximate cause of your injuries; and
• You suffered losses/damages because of your injuries.

Manufacturing Defect Claims

A manufacturing defect claim alleges that the injury was caused by a mistake that occurred during the manufacturing process. To win a manufacturing defect claim, you must prove that:

• The product was manufactured defectively;
• You were using the product as intended/in a foreseeable manner;
• The manufacturing defect was a proximate cause of your injuries; and
• You suffered losses/damages because of your injuries.

Failure to Warn Claims

This type of claim alleges that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with using the product. To win a failure to warn claim, you must prove that:

• You were using the product as intended/in a foreseeable manner;
• The manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with using the product;
• The failure to warn was a proximate cause of your injuries;
• You suffered losses/damages because of your injuries.

Determining which type of claim is appropriate in your case is essential to success. Proving this type of claim can be complex, so if you have been injured by a defective product, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today for help pursuing your claim.

How do you prove a product liability claim?

When it comes to product liability cases, the type and amount of evidence necessary to prove your claim will vary depending on the specifics of your case. That said, a few key types of evidence are commonly used in product liability claims.

1. Documentation

One of the most important pieces of evidence in a product liability case is documentation. This can include things like medical records, bills, receipts, contracts, and warranties. This type of documentation can help prove both the extent of your injuries and the fact that you purchased the defective product from a reputable source.

2. Eyewitness Testimony

If you were injured in someone else’s presence, you can also rely on eyewitness testimony to prove your claim. This could be testimony from friends or family members who saw the accident take place, or it could be video footage if the accident was captured on camera.

3. Expert Testimony

In some cases, you may also need to bring in an expert witness to testify about the defects in the product and how those defects caused your injuries. This could be an engineer who can attest to the design flaws in the product or a medical expert who can discuss how the injuries you sustained were caused by the defective product.

4. Physical Evidence

Physical evidence can also be important in a product liability case. This could include things like photographs of the scene of the accident or pictures of your injuries. It could also include the defective product itself if it is still available.

What kind of lawsuit is a product liability claim?

Product liability law is an area of civil law that allows individuals to hold manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and others accountable for injuries sustained by defective products. In other words, product liability law is what allows people who are injured by defective products to recover compensation from the companies responsible for making and selling those products.

What are the 3 types of product liability claims?

Design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects are the three primary types of product liability claims.

Design defects are inherent in the design of a product—meaning that the problem exists even though the product is made exactly according to its blueprint or specifications. Because the design is defective, all products manufactured from that design will also be defective.

Manufacturing defects occur when a product is not made according to its blueprint or specifications. In other words, there is something wrong with the specific product or batch of products, even though the overall design is sound. An example of a manufacturing defect would be if there was a flaw in the production process that caused one batch of tires to be defective.

Marketing defects occur when a product does not have proper warnings or instructions—or when it does not have adequate safety features. For example, if a power saw did not come with proper safety instructions and someone was injured as a result, then that person could sue for damages based on a marketing defect.

How long do I have to file a product liability claim?

In San Diego, you must file a product liability claim within 2 years from the date of your injury in most cases. Certain circumstances will shorten or extend the life of the case, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer right away to make sure you don’t miss the deadline. If you fail to file your claim on time, you will lose the ability to recover any compensation.

How much does a product liability attorney cost?

Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their payment is contingent upon the success of your case; they don’t get paid unless your case is settled or won at trial. Once you are awarded compensation, your attorney takes a percentage of that as their fee, usually between 33 and 40 percent. This allows everyone to receive quality legal representation regardless of socioeconomic status.

Contact Our San Diego Product Liability Attorneys

Product Liability Attorney, John Gomez

The experienced San Diego product liability lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys are here to help you after a serious consumer product injury. You deserve full and fair compensation after suffering harm because of a defective product.

We offer a free case evaluation and there’s no obligation if you call. If you’re wondering “What’s my product liability case worth?” or “Do I have a product liability case?” call us today for your free consultation. Our San Diego attorneys take all product liability cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact the experienced legal team at Gomez Trial Attorneys at (619) 237-3490 to schedule a free case consultation; we can discuss the specifics of your product liability claim, and help determine the best path forward.

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