Santa Rosa Product Liability Attorney

Committed to Helping Business Owners Protect Their Company and Assets

Product liability is a common legal issue faced by businesses and is often complicated and time-consuming. Smith Dollar will work closely with you to create a strong defense or settlement strategy to protect your assets and reputation, and we will work to obtain the best resolution for your business.

Do You Need Legal Advice Regarding a Product Liability Issue?

Contact Smith Dollar in Santa Rosa, California, to discuss your situation with our experienced legal team. Call (707) 405-7391 to schedule a consultation with a Santa Rosa product liability lawyer. Se habla español.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability is a broad term that encompasses the responsibility manufacturers and product sellers have to a variety of individuals who may suffer harm from certain products. Accordingly, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers can be held liable under the law for the harmful effects of a product on a wide range of individuals, including consumers, and even other people who don’t actually buy the products. Such defendants may also face strict liability, meaning it does not require willful negligence on their part for them to be held accountable.

Types of Defects That Result in Legal Claims

There are three general types of product defects which can result in legal claims:

• Design defects – Typically, such defects “happen” or exist prior to the product being manufactured and arise when the device lacks the appropriates “safety features,” and as a result, the product as a whole is unreasonable dangerous to consumers. Accordingly, the consumer is plagued with the risk of danger in using the product, not from a defect in the manufacturing itself, but because the product was designed without the construct that would render it safe to use.
• Manufacturing defects – Arise when the product is being manufactured and are often as a result of some type of equipment or staff mistake, including injury, accident, or negligence by factory employees. Whereas the product’s design meets safety standards but is nonetheless flawed in its design, the products manufactured for distribution have all the components required for safe use, but are not safe for use. Examples of this type of defect include different types of tainted food and drugs, electrical appliances that give users a shock, and various types of products that overheat and are set on fire.
• Labeling defects – Often arise when a product marketed or packaged in a way that makes normal sense, but those selling the item failed to properly warn the consumer of the dangers or risks involved in using the product. As a result, those using the item do not know the inherent dangers and safety precautions necessary for its use and are therefore at heightened risk for injury. Common examples of such products include a new hair dye that does not warn users of the dangers or risks of skin color changes that may result if guidelines are not followed, and OTC and prescription drugs that do not sufficiently warn about the risks of taking the medication.

Industries That Face Greater Risk

A product liability lawsuit isn’t limited to consumers and may involve property damage or third-party injury, meaning that many different types of companies, organizations, and professionals could potentially be sued. Nevertheless, some industries face a higher risk of product recalls and product liability claims than others, which is particularly true for companies and manufacturers in the following industries:

• Automotive manufacturing
• Defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals
• Children’s products
• Appliances and electronics
• Machinery and heavy equipment
• Sporting goods
• Food and Beverage
• Firearms

What to Do if Your Business is Defending a Product Liability Lawsuit

Even if your company has not been sued, a product liability process should begin at the first sign of the possibility of a claim being made—and not necessarily when the claim or lawsuit is actually filed. Thus, right away, the company should assign a key member of the management team to oversee the primary details of defending these claims and put a supervisory system in place to ensure all potentially relevant information is being collected and preserved.

At Smith Dollar, You Are Our Priority

At Smith Dollar, we genuinely care about the well-being of our clients and the success of their businesses. We will review every aspect of your product liability case, including the cause of the defect, product warnings, and the immediate steps you took to rectify the situation. We will look for every opportunity to minimize any potential risk and exposure your company may be facing. Finally, we will work closely with you to plan a customized legal strategy that will best meet your business needs.

Our firm works with businesses in Ukiah County, Lake County, Napa County, Mendocino County, and throughout the North Bay—Sonoma, Marin, and Sacramento Counties.

Contact Smith Dollar in Santa Rosa, California, to discuss your situation with our experienced legal team. Call (707) 405-7391 to schedule a consultation with a Santa Rosa product liability lawyer. Se habla español.