Product Liability Attorney in West Covina, CA
When a product doesn’t work the way you expected, the aftermath can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a defective product, you have the right to pursue a legal case. Reach out to a West Covina product liability lawyer to help you understand the next steps.
Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm in California
An injury from a product can affect every aspect of your life. During this time, you need a lawyer with experience in similar cases. For decades, Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor has been a pillar in California’s legal community. We pride ourselves on helping clients get through their most difficult times in life, and have helped secure:
- $1,700,000 for a client who was injured by a defective skylight
- $23.2 million for a product liability case that was partially settled, with the remainder of compensation determined by a jury. We work to resolve cases as efficiently and quickly as possible, but are never afraid of going to trial for our clients.
- $13,325,000 for two clients who suffered injuries after a compressed natural gas tank exploded
Our personal injury attorneys in west Covina don’t back down from a fight and never settle for less than our clients deserve. When you come in for your confidential consultation, you’ll be able to explain your situation in detail. Our team can offer transparent legal guidance to empower you to make informed decisions regarding your case.
What Is Product Liability?
In 2022, there were 26.2 million trips to the emergency room in the United States for unintentional injuries. A product liability case can be opened against a company if its product injured you in some way. The most common types of product liability cases include:
- Manufacturing defects. This happens when something goes wrong during the production process, causing a product to become unsafe. For example, a batch of electric kettles made with faulty heating elements could overheat and cause burns.
- Design defects. This happens when the product’s design itself is unsafe, even if it’s made exactly as intended. An example would be a ladder designed with unstable legs that easily tip over during normal use.
- Marketing defects. This can include missing safety warnings, unclear instructions, or misleading claims. For instance, a medication sold without proper dosage instructions could lead to accidental overdoses.
However, there are exceptions to this in California. Typically, a company can’t be held responsible for injuries caused by a product if:
- The product is naturally unsafe.
- Ordinary consumers know it’s unsafe when they use it. Examples include sugar, alcohol, or butter, which people understand can be harmful in certain situations.
However, this protection doesn’t apply to tobacco manufacturers. They can still have legal claims opened against them for harm caused by tobacco products.
Trying to take on corporations on your own is not advised. Lawyers who work for the liable company have years of experience in similar litigation, making it necessary to have your own lawyer with relevant experience.
A product liability case in West Covina will likely be handled at the West Covina Courthouse, located at 1427 West Covina Parkway, if the case proceeds to litigation. When you hire a product liability lawyer to fight on your behalf, they can attempt to negotiate with the other party before heading to court. Our attorneys can confidently proceed to court if a settlement cannot be reached.
Evidence That Can Help Bolster Your Legal Claim
Survivors of a product injury generally have two years to file their legal claim in California. Once your claim is filed, you can work with your lawyer to collect evidence for your case.
California courts rely on the evidence provided during cases to make their final decision regarding compensation for victims. You’ll want to have as much diverse evidence as possible, including:
- Testimony from anyone who witnessed the incident happen. Memories tend to fade quickly, so it’s essential to act fast. Your lawyer can contact witnesses early on to get their official statements.
- Copies of the initial incident report filed
- Copies of your medical records from centers like the Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital or the West Covina Medical Center. These can help give courts a clear picture of the extent of your injuries and your doctor’s professional medical opinions about what caused them.
- Statements from professionals about what they believe caused the incident and resulting injuries
- Surveillance footage
- Dashcam footage
- Traffic camera footage
- Photos and videos taken at the time of the incident of the product’s damage
- Photos and videos of your visible injuries
- A detailed written timeline of events
- Notes written after the injury about the extent of your pain and suffering
- Your monetary losses, such as medical bills and lost income
The Types of Damages You Can Pursue in a Product Liability Case
In the United States, product liability cases had a median nuclear verdict of $36 million in 2022. A nuclear verdict is a case where the final compensation for the filing party exceeds $10 million. When a product doesn’t work properly, the consequences can be severe, making it common for survivors to have high-value verdicts.
The compensation awarded to victims is calculated based on the real losses suffered from the incident. There are two main types of damages that can be sought in a product liability case. Economic damages help account for your monetary losses, such as:
- Medical bills, including surgeries, physical therapy, and medications
- Loss of income due to missing work from your injuries
- Property damage to your personal belongings, if any were damaged in the incident
Non-economic damages are based on the emotional losses that often accompany such a traumatic event. These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In the most severe cases, a third type of damage can be pursued, called punitive damages. These can be pursued if the guilty party acted with malice, oppression, or fraud.
The court awards punitive damages to further punish the wrongdoer and help prevent similar actions from happening in the future. Your lawyer can help you determine if punitive damages can be requested in your unique case.
Hire a Product Liability Lawyer to Represent You
Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor today to schedule your confidential consultation. After experiencing a traumatic event, survivors need a strong support system. Choose our attorneys to be a part of your support system. We can fight tirelessly on your behalf for the compensation you are entitled to.
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