Lake Forest Defective Products Lawyer

Each year, thousands of Americans are injured due to products that are dangerous and defective. Whether this is the result of poor labeling, design defects, or manufacturing mistakes, the damage may have a severe impact on your life. If you are suffering from an injury due to a dangerous product, you could contact a Lake Forest defective products lawyer to begin discussing your options.

Manufacturers could be liable for the safety of their products at all points of the production and distribution line. Many make mistakes and still allow their products to be sold to consumers. When they do, they may have experienced lawyers that are adept at minimizing liability and getting cases thrown out altogether. It may be crucial to have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side who may be a fierce advocate for your rights.

Defective Products Laws

California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) (2017) Series 1200 states that individuals injured by defective products must be able to prove that the harm was the result of a product manufactured, distributed, or sold by the defendant. The plaintiff must prove that the product was either:

  • Defectively designed
  • Contained a manufacturing defect
  • Did not include enough instruction or warning of safety hazards

Plaintiffs may require the help of a defective products lawyer in Lake Forest when filing a claim. Each claim may be complex and could require a thorough understanding of the law.

Plaintiffs typically do not need to be direct purchasers of the defective products. Innocent bystanders could seek compensation for defective products that cause them injury. While injuries caused by defective products may range in severity, a defective products attorney in Lake Forest could help an injured person seek compensation.

Statute of Limitations for Injury Claims

In terms of the statute of limitations, CCP § 335.1 states that lawsuits must be filed within two years from the injury or death caused by the defective product. If the product caused property damage, which may include a fire, plaintiffs may file their claim within three years of the discovery of the damages.

CA Code of Civil Procedure § 337.15 sets a ten-year statute of repose on products that are considered “improvement on real property,” that may include track lighting or electrical work. Plaintiffs may file lawsuits for damages stemming from construction products up to ten years following their completion or installation. A Lake Forest defective products lawyer could help plaintiffs avoid denial of claims due to time constraints.

Comparative Fault in Lake Forest

CA Civil Code §1714 states that individuals are responsible for the injuries resulting from their negligence. This places responsibility for damages on manufacturers that create defective products but it could also place some of the blame on consumers under certain circumstances.

Lake Forest possesses a “pure comparative negligence” law adopted following Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 532 P.2d 1226 (1975). This law assigns compensation based on the plaintiff’s proportion of fault. Unlike many other states, plaintiff’s could still recover compensation if they were more than 50 percent at fault. Even if a plaintiff in a product explosion causing $100,000 in damages is determined to be 80 percent at fault, they might be entitled to 20 percent of the compensation they would have been eligible for.

Speak with a Lake Forest Defective Products Attorney

Experiencing an injury due to a defective product can be painful and leave you feeling wronged. If you have been injured by a defective product, contact a Lake Forest defective products lawyer for assistance. They may be able to help you recover compensation for your suffering. To get started, call now.