When you buy a product, you expect it to be safe to use. But that is not always the case. Dangerous products can cause catastrophic injuries without warning. When that happens, you need a skilled San Bernardino product liability lawyer to hold the negligent company accountable.
Choosing the right defective product attorney is critical to getting your deserved compensation. Most individuals struggle to determine where to begin. But with Bisnar Chase, you can trust our track record. Our experts in product liability law have a 99% success rate. Our firm has been in business for over 40 years, with more than $900 million won for our clients.
We know how important it is to feel secure and supported by your dedicated personal injury attorneys in San Bernardino. Our team believes in providing superior representation, and you can trust us to win the right result for you. Contact us now for a free consultation with no obligations.
San Bernardino Product Defect Resources
What is Product Liability?
Product liability is a legal term that refers to the responsibility of a manufacturer, seller, or distributor of a product for any harm it causes to consumers.
Defective goods cause thousands of injuries yearly, but this area of personal injury law allows victims to recover compensation from any negligent parties.
Product liability laws vary from state to state. As a result, California state law covers the San Bernardino area. It applies to all kinds of goods, from defective vehicles to household products, gadgets, appliances, medical devices, and anything else you can buy.
This page will explore identifying a product liability claim, who is responsible, how to prove your case, and much more.
Defective Product Cases That We Handle in San Bernardino
At Bisnar Chase, we handle various claims involving dangerous or defective products. These include:
Auto Defects
Defective vehicles are the subject of a massive number of recalls. This is a particularly dangerous form of defective product, as any issue can cause car accidents and put road users at extreme risk. Bisnar Chase has a national reputation for handling auto defect cases.
Food Poisoning
Improperly stored or prepared food can cause serious issues for anyone consuming it. Our firm has successfully handled many such cases.
Electrical Goods
One of the most common forms of electrical defect is a lithium-ion battery exploding. We have seen examples of this in hoverboards, e-cigarettes, cell phones, and many more items.
Medical Devices
We have won medical device defect cases, including those involving faulty hip replacements and pelvic mesh products that cause pain and irritation. These malfunctioning products have the potential to cause serious harm to victims.
Drugs
A faulty product could include drugs or medications. If a prescribed or over-the-counter medicines causes severe side effects that you had no warning of, you may have a case.
Home Appliances
Potentially defective appliances can include everything from stoves and toasters to coffee makers. These are everyday items that everyone has in their home. But they can cause dangerous situations.
Toys
If children’s toys are poorly made or do not carry proper warnings, they can be very dangerous to youngsters. A product injury lawyer will handle cases involving malfunctioning products and those unsuitable for use.
Sports Equipment
Sports can become incredibly dangerous if players are left to use defective equipment or safety gear. This is a hot topic issue at the moment due to the increased focus on concussions in sports.
Other
There are almost endless examples of products that can be dangerous to consumers. Other examples include common household substances,, include weed killers like Roundup and Paraquat, later shown to have serious side effects,
No matter what defective product has caused your injuries, our law firm can help you hold the responsible party accountable. You need a products liability lawyer serving San Bernardino County and its residents. Call Bisnar Chase now for superior representation.
Different Forms of Product Negligence
A product liability lawsuit can come from any fault that causes an item not to perform as intended, with the malfunction resulting in injuries. These defects can come in several different forms.
Design Process
With some products, negligence occurs at the planning stage. Design defects in a product’s initial development can create dangerous user conditions.
Manufacturing Defect
The design is sometimes sound, but the manufacturing process involves mistakes. The product might be assembled poorly or made using cheap and subpar materials.
Marketing Defect
Even if a product’s design and manufacturing are perfect, accidents and injuries can still result from distribution errors. For example, an item might be mislabeled, falsely advertised, or not carry the proper warnings.
What Should a Product Warning Label Include?
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that product warning labels should include any known hazards, their effects, a rundown of the risks of using the product, and instructions on how to avoid them.
Who is Responsible for a Product Defect?
Liability may vary depending on the type of defect you have experienced. Generally speaking, the fault may lie with anyone in the distribution chain whose negligence contributed to the accident. Potentially negligent parties may include:
- The product manufacturer.
- A third-party company involved in the design process.
- A third-party supplier of faulty component parts used in the product.
- The assembly team (if separate from the manufacturer).
- The seller.
Who Can File a Product Defect Claim in San Bernardino CA?
To file a product liability claim in San Bernardino, you must have suffered a physical injury.
Many people come to us if they have experienced a dangerous product fault, even if they were not harmed. We completely understand and agree with the need to hold these negligent companies accountable, but we can only recover compensation for you if you suffer an injury. There are three steps that we must prove to win your case:- That the product is defective. We must show that the product has a design, manufacturing, or marketing defect.
- The product injured you. We must show that you suffered harm and that the defective product caused those injuries sustained.
- That you used the product responsibly and as directed. We must show your injuries resulted from normal use of the product according to instructions or warnings.
How Often are Dangerous Products Recalled?
Product recalls are surprisingly common in the United States. They will often occur for one of two reasons. Sometimes, the manufacturer will discover the fault and voluntarily issue a recall to protect its customers. But in other instances, a recall will only be issued after consumers have experienced a dangerous issue and complained.
In the first quarter of 2022 alone, more than 700 product recalls were issued. This included recalling over 900 million product units. Not all of these involve items carrying a risk of causing injuries, but many do.
From these single quarter numbers alone, you can see the staggering number of faulty items that are released. The early 2022 numbers show the highest product defect levels for several years.
Potential Injuries Caused by Dangerous Consumer Goods
Defective or malfunctioning products have the potential to cause serious injuries. They can include:
- Gashes and lacerations.
- Broken bones.
- Burns.
- Electrocution.
- Choking.
- Muscle or ligament injuries.
- Back, neck, head, or brain damage.
- Wrongful death.
Regardless of your injuries, our personal injury attorneys can help you recover from your ordeal.
Maximizing the Value of Your Product Liability Case
A personal injury case aims to make victims whole after an accident that has left them with substantial injuries, damages, or losses.
We believe that no one should be left out of pocket by an accident that is not their fault. That means that we seek compensation for factors such as:- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Ongoing care and the compromised ability to work.
- Scarring and other long-term impacts.
- Property damage.
Famous Product Liability Cases
Over the years, some incredibly famous product liability lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements. A couple of examples include:
Liebeck v.McDonald’s – The Hot Coffee Lawsuit
One of the most famous ever product liability lawsuits involved a woman suffering burns from a McDonald’s coffee with insufficient warnings. The victim was initially awarded $2.8 million and eventually got $640,000 after an appeal.
Takata Airbags
Takata airbags were fitted in more than 40 million vehicles. But problems arose when they started exploding, sending dangerous shards shooting into vehicle occupants. The company knew about the problem but did not order a recall in time and eventually had to pay $1 billion.
At Bisnar Chase, our team of product liability lawyers has won hundreds of millions for our clients. We have the resources to take on even the largest companies and corporations while always being accessible to you. Trust us with your case today.
Defective Product Claim FAQs
Check out some of the frequently asked questions about product liability claims below. But if you have questions that have not been answered, do not hesitate to get in touch.
What do I need to prove in a product liability case?
To win a product liability case, you need to show that the product was defective and that you have suffered injuries due to that defect. You do not necessarily need to show that the company was negligent.
How long do I have to file a defective product injury claim?
According to the California statute of limitations, you have two years to file a defective product claim. That is two years from the injury, not the product purchase.
How will my claim be decided?
Most companies carry product liability insurance to protect themselves in case of a claim. It could be sorted through insurance, settled out of court with the company, or go to a jury trial in major cases.
Buying Consumer Products in San Bernardino
We help injured consumers across the area and throughout the Inland Empire. There are nearly 40,000 businesses in San Bernardino County, including prominent retail areas like Inland Center, Tri-City Center, and Westside Plaza.
If you live in the San Bernardino area or have purchased defective goods in the area, our law firm can help.
Top San Bernardino Product Liability Lawyers to Win Your Case
Our San Bernardino product liability lawyers have been helping injured people win the compensation they deserve for more than 46 years.
When choosing the right personal injury attorney for your case, you have a few factors to consider. You need a lawyer with experience in the San Bernardino area, dealing with cases like yours, and with a track record of success.
Bisnar Chase hits all of those points.
- We are San Bernardino attorneys with an office in the area. It is important to our team to be accessible to local residents. We also have law offices across Southern California, including bases in Orange County and San Diego, to ensure we can help as many people as possible.
- Our firm has been in business since 1978 and has maintained a 99% success rate.
- We get results, with more than $900 million won.
- Our team comprises expert negotiators and skilled trial lawyers who will go to court for you.
No Win No Fee Product Liability Lawyers in San Bernardino
The initial consultation is always free when you work with our firm. Our intake team will review the details of your claim to determine whether we can help. If we cannot sign your case, we will provide guidance on your best options.
If we do take your case, we offer a no-win, no-fee promise to protect you from out-of-pocket costs.
Contact our San Bernardino product liability lawyers at Bisnar Chase today. Call (909) 253-0750, use our website live chat, or send us an email.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered nearly $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $900M for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
