Newport Beach Product Liability Attorneys

Defective products show up in everyday items. From electronics in homes around Newport Center to recalled car parts on the Pacific Coast Highway, the risks are real. When a faulty item causes harm, a Newport Beach product liability lawyer from Bentley & More LLP offers guidance and support to help injured people take action.

Product liability law protects people from unsafe products that cause injury or damage. These cases differ from other injury claims because they focus on flaws in design, mistakes in the manufacturing process, or missing warnings.

In Newport Beach, this can affect anyone using common items like electric scooters near Balboa Pier or tools on job sites in Newport Heights. Injured consumers have rights. California law gives you the power to hold companies responsible when their products don’t work the way they should.

Bentley & More LLP understands how to pursue claims against major corporations and insurers. Our legal team helps clients seek accountability and recover financial losses. If a defective product caused your injury, contact us for a free consultation and learn more about your options.

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Types of Defective Products

Virtually any type of product that consumers purchase may end up defective. Some of the most common products with defects include motor vehicles, water sports vehicles (including wave runners, flotation devices, jet skis, and boats), appliances, medication, household furniture, toys, household chemicals, and cleaning products.

If you purchased one of these products that contained a defect, and you suffered injuries or harm as a result, you may be eligible to take legal action against the product manufacturer or distributor. The Newport Beach product liability lawyers at Bentley & More LLP can review your circumstances with you and determine if you are eligible to file a claim or lawsuit seeking monetary damages.

If you can pursue legal action against the product manufacturer or designer, we can help you file your claim, negotiate with insurance company representatives and, if appropriate, finalize a settlement in your case. Otherwise, we can help you litigate your case to a resolution in the court system.

What is Product Liability Law?

Product liability law holds companies and sellers responsible when the products they make or sell cause injury or harm due to defects. It’s a legal tool that gives consumers the ability to pursue financial recovery when a product doesn’t work safely as it should.

California’s product liability laws allow someone injured by a defective product to bring a claim without proving the company meant to do harm. The focus stays on the product (how it was designed, made, and sold) and whether it posed an unreasonable danger when used in a normal way.

Key Areas of Product Liability Law in California

Product liability focuses on three areas of product defects:

• Design Defects: These involve problems with how the product was originally planned. If every item made from the same design is dangerous, it could fall into this category. For example, a household fan with blades that easily break and fly off would be considered defective by design — one of many examples of defective products that can lead to serious injury.
• Manufacturing Defects: These happen when something goes wrong while the product is being built. Even if the design was safe, a product may leave the factory with missing parts, poor assembly, or faulty materials — defects that can lead to incidents like an e-cigarette explosion. This type of defect may affect only some units instead of all of them.
• Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn): Some products need clear instructions or safety warnings to be used properly. If those warnings are missing or unclear and someone gets hurt, the company may be held responsible.

These key areas form the foundation of most product liability claims in California. Whether the problem started with the design, during production, or after the product reached the market, state law gives injured people the right to take action.

California Legal Standards

In California, product liability law follows several legal standards that help injured consumers hold companies accountable.

• Strict Liability: Under California’s strict liability law, any product liability cases don’t require proof of carelessness. If a product was defective and caused injury while being used the right way, the company that made or sold it may be held liable.
• Negligence: Some claims focus on a company’s actions—like failing to test a product properly or rushing it to market without safety checks.
• Breach of Warranty: A warranty is a promise about how a product will work. If a product fails and someone gets hurt, the buyer may have a valid claim for breach of warranty, even if the company didn’t act carelessly.

Together, these legal standards in California offer strong protection for consumers. Whether the claim involves a strict liability argument, proof of negligence, or broken promises, the law gives you more than one way to seek accountability.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Defective Products?

Product liability doesn’t just target the company whose name appears on the box. Many parties in the supply chain may share the blame.

Manufacturers

• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): These companies make the product as a whole. If a household appliance causes injury, the OEM may be responsible for its failure.
• Component Part Manufacturers: When a defective part causes harm, the company that built that part can be included in the claim.

Distributors and Retailers

• Wholesale Distributors: These middlemen supply products to stores across the region. They may be held responsible if they sell defective goods that hurt consumers.
• Retail Stores and Online Sellers: A shop on Westcliff Drive or an e-commerce platform may be liable if it sells an unsafe product.

Other Potentially Liable Parties

• Product Designers: Some problems begin with poor design choices. These parties may face liability if their original blueprint led to dangerous outcomes.
• Testing Companies: Third-party testers that fail to catch safety issues may also bear responsibility, especially if they approved a dangerous product.

Common Types of Product Liability Cases in Newport Beach

People across Newport Beach deal with defective products in many settings. Each case involves unique injuries, products, and responsible parties.

• Automotive Defects and Recalls: Faulty brakes or defective airbags in vehicles traveling through MacArthur Boulevard can cause serious accidents.
• Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals: Pacemakers or medications used in Hoag Hospital may result in injury if they malfunction or lack proper warnings.
• Consumer Electronics and Appliances: Battery fires from e-bikes purchased near the Newport Beach Civic Center have led to several incidents in the region.
• Children’s Toys and Products: Toys that break easily or contain harmful chemicals can harm children in neighborhoods like Dover Shores.
• Construction Equipment and Tools: Faulty tools used on home improvement projects in Big Canyon could lead to workplace or home injuries.
• Food Contamination Cases: Restaurants or stores in Lido Marina Village that sell tainted products may trigger legal claims if the food causes illness.

How Long Do I Have to File a Product Liability Claim?

Deadlines matter in product cases. California sets strict timeframes, and missing them can prevent you from taking legal action.

California Statute of Limitations

In most cases, you have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit.

Discovery Rule Exceptions

If the injury or defect wasn’t obvious right away, the timeline may begin when the issue was discovered or reasonably should’ve been found.

Statute of Repose

• Useful Safe Life Doctrine: Some products are expected to last only a certain time. If injuries happen long after that period, filing a claim may not be allowed.
• Impact on Older Products: Claims involving long-used tools or appliances might be limited, especially if the product was clearly past its safe use period.

Proving Your Product Liability Case

Winning a product liability case takes more than pointing to an injury. California law requires proof that the product caused the harm and that it was defective.

• Evidence Collection and Preservation: Photos, videos, and the defective item itself can help support your case.
• Expert Witness Testimony Requirements: Courts often rely on engineers, scientists, or industry specialists to explain how the product failed.
• Documentation of Injuries and Damages: Medical records, expense receipts, and journal entries about recovery can help show how the injury affected your life.

Establishing the Defect and Causation: The connection between the product and the injury must be clearly shown with facts and expert analysis.

How Bentley & More LLP Can Help

Greg Bentley & Keith More, Product Liability Lawyers

Product liability cases often involve large companies with powerful legal teams. Our team of personal injury lawyers at Bentley & More LLP has experience handling complex claims and helping clients throughout California, including Newport Beach.

• Comprehensive Case Evaluation and Investigation: Our firm examines your situation in detail and looks at the history of the product involved.
• Expert Witness Coordination and Testimony: We work with professionals to strengthen the case and explain technical issues.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies and Manufacturers: When companies refuse to take responsibility, we push back with solid evidence and legal arguments.
• Litigation Experience in State and Federal Courts: If a trial becomes necessary, our attorneys have taken claims before both state and federal judges.
• Contingency Fee Representation: You don’t pay upfront. We take our legal fees from any recovery our firm secures for you.
• Resources to Handle Complex Product Liability Cases: Bentley & More has the staff, funding, and tools needed to take on big opponents.
• Track Record of Successful Settlements and Verdicts: Our firm has helped many injured people recover damages through both negotiated and court-awarded results.

What To Do After a Defective Product Causes Injuries or Damages

When a defective product causes harm, quick action helps protect your health and any future legal claims. Whether the injury just happened or you’re already recovering, these steps can make a big difference.

• Get medical help right away.  Prompt treatment not only protects your health but also creates a clear medical record linked to the incident.
• Save the product and any packaging. Don’t throw the item away. Keep the product in the condition it was in after the incident, even if it’s broken or damaged. Save any instruction manuals, receipts, and original packaging.
• Take photos and videos. Document everything. Photograph the defective product, your injuries, and the surrounding area.
• Collect witness information. If someone saw what happened, get their contact details. Their account may help confirm what went wrong.
• Don’t alter or fix the product. It needs to remain in its post-incident condition to serve as evidence.
• Write down what happened. While the memory is still fresh, write a detailed account of how the incident occurred, how you were using the product, and what went wrong. Include the time, location, and what the product was being used for.
• Organize your medical records. Keep copies of hospital bills, doctor notes, prescriptions, physical therapy records, and any other treatment-related documents. This helps show the link between your injury and the product.
• Avoid talking to insurance companies alone. You might get calls from manufacturers or their insurers. Don’t give recorded statements or sign documents without speaking to an attorney.
• Don’t post about the incident on social media. Posts and photos online can be used against you. Stay off social media or avoid discussing anything related to the injury or the product.
• Contact a product liability attorney. An experienced lawyer can review your situation, secure key evidence, and communicate with the companies involved. The sooner you reach out, the better your chances of building a strong case.

Whether you’re just leaving the scene or you’re weeks into recovery, every step you take after a defective product injury matters. Preserving evidence, documenting your experience, and getting legal support early on helps you build a stronger claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Defective Product Claims

Can I sue if I was partially at fault for my injury?

Yes. California’s comparative fault rule allows you to recover damages even if you share some blame. Your recovery may be reduced based on your level of fault.

What if the product was recalled after my injury?

You can still file a claim. A recall may even help show the product was defective, but it’s not required for your case to move forward.

How much is my product liability case worth?

The value depends on your injuries, losses, and how the product failure affected your life. An attorney can review your case and give a better idea of what to expect.

Do I need to keep the defective product?

Yes. If possible, don’t throw it away. That item is key evidence in proving your claim.

What if the manufacturer is located outside of California?

That’s not a problem. You can still file a claim as long as the product was used and caused injury in California.

Let Our Defective Product Lawyers in Newport Beach Help

Time matters in product liability claims. Evidence can get lost. Witnesses can forget. Documents can disappear. Bentley & More LLP encourages injured consumers to act quickly and protect their rights.

Our firm offers free consultations to review your situation and discuss your options. You won’t owe any legal fees unless we recover money for you. If you’re dealing with a defective product injury in Newport Beach, call us today at (949) 870-3800.

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