California Product Liability FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most after being hurt by a defective or dangerous product in California. This is general information, not legal advice — for guidance on your situation, a free, confidential review can help. Se habla español.
How long do I have to file a product liability claim?
Product cases can involve two deadlines — the ordinary one from your injury, and sometimes a statute of repose from when the product was sold. Because a missed deadline ends a claim, do not wait. Read more →
Do I have to prove the company was careless?
Often no. In a strict-liability product case, you generally prove the product was defective and caused your injury, not that the company was negligent. Read more →
Who can I sue for a defective product?
Everyone in the chain — manufacturer, distributor, and retailer — can potentially be liable, giving you more than one path to recovery. Read more →
What should I do with the product that hurt me?
Keep it — do not repair, alter, or throw it away. The product is usually the most important evidence. Read more →
The product had a warning label. Can I still have a claim?
Possibly — a warning must be adequate, and the product may also have a design or manufacturing defect regardless of the label. Read more →
The product was recalled. Do I automatically win?
No. A recall is useful evidence of a defect, but you still have to prove the defect caused your injury. Read more →
How much is my product liability case worth?
There is no set formula — it depends on the injury, future care, lost income, the defect evidence, and the responsible parties. Read more →
How much does a product liability lawyer cost?
We work on contingency — no fee unless we recover — advance the case costs, and the first review is always free. Read more →
Still have questions about your crash?
A quick, confidential review can answer them — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.