Orange County Product Liability Lawyers
An experienced Orange County product liability lawyer can help when a dangerous or defective product causes serious injury. Every year, thousands of people across the United States are harmed by items they believed were safe, from car parts and medical devices to everyday household appliances. When these products fail, the impact can be life-changing and difficult to manage.
California law gives injured individuals the right to take legal action against manufacturers, designers, distributors, and retailers who are responsible for putting unsafe products on the market. These rules are designed to protect consumers and hold companies accountable when their products cause harm.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product in Southern California, the team at Bentley & More LLP is here to help. We have the trial experience, resources, and dedication needed to take on powerful corporations and seek meaningful results.
For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (949) 870-3800.
Why Injured Consumers Choose Bentley & More LLP for Product Liability Claims
Injuries caused by defective products can have serious personal and financial consequences. Taking legal action against a large corporation can be challenging, particularly when the company is represented by a team of personal injury lawyers focused on limiting its liability.
At Bentley & More LLP, our Orange County product liability lawyers stand up for injured individuals, not corporations. From our office in Newport Beach, we serve clients throughout Southern California, including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
How Our Orange County Product Liability Lawyers Investigate Defective Products
Successful product liability claims are built on a foundation of a detailed investigation from the start. At Bentley & More LLP, we collaborate with experts in engineering, materials science, biomechanics, and manufacturing to identify the precise cause of a product’s failure and how that failure led to injury.
These experts play a vital role in examining the evidence and identifying the specific reasons the product failed. Our team also uses safety alerts and recall data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to demonstrate how the product posed a danger to consumers and their families. This careful, evidence-based approach is central to the way our Orange County product defect lawyers build strong and effective cases.
Legal Representation for Complex Product Liability Lawsuits in Orange County
Litigating against a major manufacturer requires more than legal expertise. It demands significant resources, extensive preparation, and unwavering dedication. Product liability cases often involve multiple expert witnesses, large volumes of technical documents, and numerous depositions.
Bentley & More LLP has the financial capacity and experienced team needed to manage the most complex litigation from start to finish. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients do not pay legal fees unless we obtain a recovery. This ensures access to high-quality legal help without paying anything up front.
Preparing Every Product Liability Case for Trial in Southern California
While many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, we prepare each case as though it will proceed to trial. Our attorneys are seasoned litigators with the ability to explain complex evidence in a way that makes sense to jurors.
This trial-focused approach demonstrates to insurers and opposing counsel that we are fully prepared to litigate, often resulting in more favorable settlement outcomes. Our track record of successful verdicts reinforces client confidence and reflects our standing as a respected product liability firm in Orange County.
California Product Liability Laws: What Injured Consumers Need to Know
California offers some of the most robust consumer protection laws in the nation, aimed at holding manufacturers, sellers, and distributors accountable when their products cause harm. Product liability law is complex, and each case presents unique challenges.
For that reason, it is essential to work with an attorney who understands the legal landscape and can develop a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
What Is Strict Liability in a California Product Defect Claim?
Most product injury claims in California are based on something called strict liability. This legal rule focuses on the product, not on whether the company acted carelessly. To prove a strict liability claim, your Orange County product liability lawyer must show:
- The company designed, made, sold, or distributed the product
- The product had a defect when it left the company’s control
- You were using the product in a way that could have been expected
- The defect played a major role in causing your injury
Even if the company tried to be careful, it may still be legally responsible if a product was defective and someone was hurt.
Holding Companies Accountable for Negligence in Product Liability Cases
In some cases, a claim may be based on negligence. This means the company failed to act with reasonable care when designing, testing, making, or selling the product.
For example, the company may not have tested the product enough, may have used poor quality materials, or may have failed to warn people about a known danger. Any company in the product’s supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, and sellers, has a responsibility to make sure the product is reasonably safe for consumers.
How Breach of Warranty Can Support a Product Liability Claim in California
A product liability claim may also be based on a breach of warranty. A warranty is a promise a seller makes about the quality or safety of a product. There are two main types:
- Express Warranty: This is an explicit promise about how a product will perform, often found in advertising, packaging, or user manuals. For example, if a product is marketed as “shatterproof” but breaks and causes injury, that could be considered a breach of an express warranty.
- Implied Warranty: These are unwritten guarantees imposed by law. The most common is the implied warranty of merchantability, which means the product must function as expected for its intended purpose. Another type is the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, which applies when a seller recommends a product for a specific use, and the product fails to perform as promised.
When a product fails to meet these warranties and causes harm, the manufacturer or seller may be held legally responsible through a product liability claim.
Auto Defects and Vehicle Failure Lawsuits in Orange County
In cities like Anaheim and Irvine, driving is part of everyday life. When a key part of a vehicle, such as the brakes, airbags, tires, or seatbelts, fails to perform as expected, the risk of a serious crash increases.
Our Orange County product liability lawyers investigate accidents that may have been caused by defective automotive components or unsafe vehicle designs. We partner with auto experts and use National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data to understand how the defect contributed to the crash.
Injuries from Vape Pen and E-Cigarette Explosions: What You Can Do
Bentley & More LLP is known throughout the country for representing clients injured by exploding e-cigarette and vape pen batteries. Founding partner Greg Bentley led the first case of its kind to a jury trial in the United States.
Since then, our team has represented hundreds of individuals who suffered severe burns and other injuries caused by faulty lithium-ion batteries. These claims require detailed technical knowledge, and our attorneys have the experience to show how these products can cause serious harm.
Legal Help for Injuries from Defective Medical Devices or Dangerous Drugs
Medical devices are meant to support healing, but some products fail and cause harm instead. When items like artificial hips, pacemakers, surgical mesh, or joint implants do not function properly, patients may experience long-term pain and may need additional surgeries. We also represent clients harmed by prescription drugs that result in dangerous side effects.
Our team reviews medical records, product warnings, and safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to build strong cases on behalf of injured patients.
Product Liability Claims for Unsafe Machinery in the Workplace
In areas such as Riverside and San Bernardino, many people work in construction, manufacturing, or industrial settings where they use powerful machinery every day. When equipment like forklifts, power tools, or saws contain defects, the results can be life-changing.
These cases may involve both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate product liability lawsuit. Our Orange County product liability lawyers also review findings from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when investigating workplace equipment failures.
Injuries from Dangerous Household and Children’s Products
A product does not have to be large or complex to cause harm. Faulty appliances, heating devices, and other household items can lead to electrical shocks, fires, or burns. Children are especially at risk when toys include small parts that may cause choking or when products contain harmful chemicals.
Our attorneys use data and recall information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to support claims involving unsafe consumer products. We work to hold manufacturers and sellers responsible when a household product puts families in danger.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a California Product Defect Lawsuit?
California product liability law gives injured individuals the ability to seek compensation from any company involved in making, selling, or distributing the defective item. This is called the chain of distribution, and it includes several possible parties that may share legal responsibility.
Expanding the list of defendants can help improve the chances of a successful recovery, especially when one company is difficult to locate or no longer in business.
The chain of distribution may include:
- The Product Manufacturer: The business that originally designed and produced the product.
- Component Part Manufacturers: If a particular part caused the failure, the company that made that part may also be responsible.
- Wholesalers and Distributors: These are the companies that moved the product from the factory to the retail seller.
- Retailers: The store, website, or platform that sold the product directly to the consumer.
Our Orange County product liability lawyers take time to investigate every case carefully. By identifying each possible defendant, we work to hold all responsible parties accountable, whether the product came from a local business or a company located overseas.
What Compensation Is Available in a Product Liability Case in California?
In California, a product liability claim may allow the injured person to recover compensation for a wide range of losses. These include both financial and personal effects of the injury, helping the injured person move forward with greater security and stability.
Recovering Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Other Economic Losses
These damages are meant to repay the direct financial costs that result from the injury. They may include:
- Medical expenses, both past and expected future care
- Lost income due to time away from work
- Reduced ability to earn a living if the injury causes long-term limitations
- The cost to repair or replace damaged property
These expenses can add up quickly, and economic damages play a key role in helping the injured person manage the financial impact of a serious product-related injury.
Compensation for Pain, Mental Distress, and Loss of Enjoyment
These damages address personal harm that is not tied to a specific cost but still has a major impact. They may include:
- Physical pain and long-term discomfort
- Emotional stress or mental health struggles
- Visible scars or lasting changes in appearance
- A change in lifestyle, including the loss of activities you once enjoyed
While these losses are harder to measure in dollars, they often reflect some of the most significant ways an injury affects a person’s life.
When Can You Seek Punitive Damages in a Product Liability Case?
In rare situations, a court may award punitive damages. These are not related to your losses but are meant to punish the company for serious misconduct.
Under California Civil Code § 3294, these damages may be awarded if there is strong evidence showing the company acted with fraud, malice, or oppression.
California Product Liability Statute of Limitations: How Long Do You Have?
If you were injured by a defective product, it is important to act without delay. California law sets a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a lawsuit. According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, most claims must be filed within two years from the date of the injury.
Missing this deadline could prevent you from taking legal action. However, some exceptions may apply. In certain cases, the two-year period may not begin until you discover the injury or until the time when you reasonably should have discovered it.
This often applies in situations involving medical devices or harmful substances, where the injury is not immediately clear. A knowledgeable product defect lawyer in Irvine or elsewhere in Orange County can help review your case and identify the correct filing deadline.
Contact Our Orange County Product Liability Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured by an unsafe product, you do not need to go through the legal process on your own. Filing a claim not only supports your recovery, but may also push companies to make safer products. The experienced Orange County product liability lawyers at Bentley & More LLP have a long track record of handling these cases with care, preparation, and confidence.
Call our team at (949) 870-3800 to schedule a free and private consultation. We will take the time to listen, explain your options, and offer guidance on what to expect next.
Greg Bentley & Keith More
Product Liability Lawyers
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“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bentley & More for the past 5-6 years. Their drive and compassion to earn great results for their clients is obvious to everyone who works with them.
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Bentley & More LLP – Orange County Office
Phone: (949) 870-3800