Situated in the heart of Orange County, Anaheim, California is a city known for its iconic attractions, including Disneyland. But like any other city, its residents rely on products to make their daily lives easier. When those products fail or cause harm, it’s key to know who to turn to. The Anaheim Personal Injury Lawyers at the law offices of Brent W. Caldwell, ensure Anaheim residents are protected and represented.
What is Product Liability?
Product liability ensures that manufacturers, sellers, or anyone in the product chain are held accountable if their products cause harm. As a consumer, you trust products to be safe. But if they aren’t and you get hurt, you deserve compensation and justice.
Design Defect
Sometimes, a product is dangerous because of its very design. Think of a toy with parts too small that children can swallow, or a machine missing an essential safety feature. These design flaws can have catastrophic consequences.
Manufacturing Defect
A product may have a perfect design, but mistakes in the manufacturing process can make it unsafe. If a quality control failure or a factory error results in a faulty product reaching you, you shouldn’t bear the consequences alone.
Defective Marketing
Products should come with accurate labels, clear instructions, and necessary warnings. If you’re harmed because of missing or misleading information, it’s a valid ground for a liability claim.
Defendants in a Product Liability Lawsuit
In a product liability case, various parties can be held responsible. This may include the manufacturer, a parts supplier, or even the retail store selling the product. Knowing who to target is paramount, and we’re here to navigate that path with you.
Statute of Limitations for Product Liability Cases in California
In California, the statute of limitations for product liability cases is two years from the date of injury. This means if you’ve been injured or harmed due to a defective product, you have two years from the date of discovering the injury (or the date you reasonably should have discovered it) to file a lawsuit.
Missing this deadline can cost you your claim. We ensure your case proceeds in a timely manner, safeguarding your rights. Beyond legal deadlines, acting promptly is essential for preserving evidence, ensuring witness credibility, and establishing a strong case foundation.
How You Can Recover for Product Liability
If harmed by a faulty product, you might be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. With our expertise, we’ll guide you through the recovery avenues, ensuring your best interests are always at the forefront.
Types of Damages in a Product Liability Case
In a product liability lawsuit, “damages” refer to the compensation awarded to an injured party due to the negligence or fault of another. If you’ve been harmed by a faulty product in Anaheim or anywhere else, understanding the types of damages you can pursue is essential. Here’s a deeper look:
- Compensatory Damages: These are designed to restore the financial position of the injured party, ensuring they’re compensated for the actual losses incurred due to the defective product. They can be further divided into:
- Economic Damages: These cover tangible, out-of-pocket expenses. Examples include medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages from missed work, and future earning capacity if the injury leads to long-term disability or impediment.
- Non-economic Damages: While they don’t have a direct monetary value, non-economic damages are equally vital. They compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or loss of consortium due to the injury.
- Punitive Damages: Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to make the injured party whole, punitive damages serve a different purpose. They are designed to penalize the wrongdoer and deter them and others from similar behavior in the future. These damages are awarded when the defendant’s actions are deemed especially malicious or reckless. It sends a strong message to manufacturers and sellers about the consequences of neglecting consumer safety.
- Incidental Damages: These cover costs directly related to the defective product. For instance, if you had to repair or replace the product, hire services due to its malfunction, or any other costs directly resulting from the defective product, they fall under incidental damages.
The Importance of Hiring a Product Liability Attorney
Product liability cases can be intricate. They require an in-depth understanding of legalities and a keen investigation. We’re committed to utilizing our comprehensive knowledge to benefit your case.
Having a lawyer familiar with Anaheim courts, juries, and local nuances can be a game-changer. We’re deeply rooted in the Anaheim community and are dedicated to serving our neighbors.
Recent Product Liability Settlements and Jury Awards
Here are some well-known product liability settlements and jury verdicts:
- Transvaginal Mesh – $1.5 billion to settle over 100,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits claiming damage when the mesh frayed and migrated in the body
- Roundup – $10.9 billion to settle 95,000 cases that claimed that the weedkiller caused them to develop lymphoma
- Talc Powder – Over $4 billion was awarded to 23 women in a Missouri lawsuit arguing that the product was tainted with asbestos and caused ovarian cancer.
- Airbags – A jury verdict over $1 billion to compensate car owners who were injured by defective airbags that deployed with too much force.
Consult With Our Anaheim Bike Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one is facing the aftermath of a defective product or a bike accident in Anaheim, don’t hesitate. Reach out to us, and let us be your guiding force to justice and compensation.