Product Liability

Temecula Product Liability Lawyers

Serving Clients in Hemet & Temecula since 1989

As consumers, we rely on designers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to provide us with safe, effective, and appropriately labeled products. Still, thousands of consumers suffer serious injuries from defective products every year, many of which could have been prevented if the responsible parties had taken the appropriate steps to protect consumers. For more than 20 years, Sweeney, Sweeney & Sweeney has successfully represented injury victims in lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of defective or unsafe consumer products.

Schedule your free consultation with the Temecula product liability lawyers at Sweeney, Sweeney & Sweeney today by dialing (951) 800-7731 or contacting us online.

How We Help Our Clients

As part of our personal injury and wrongful death legal practice, we assist individuals and families in bringing claims for injuries or fatalities caused by manufacturing defects, design defects, and inadequate instructions or warnings. Every product liability lawyer from our family firm ensures that injured consumers (or the families and heirs of deceased consumers) receive fair treatment under the law, including full and fair compensation for injuries caused by dangerous and defective products.

California Product Liability Law

Under California law, a lawsuit may be instituted against any person or entity that participated in making or marketing a defective product, or against an entity that put that product into the stream of commerce.

When you have been injured by a defective or dangerous product, potentially liable parties include:

  • The manufacturer
  • The manufacturer of component parts
  • The wholesaler
  • The retail store that sold the product

In general terms, the law requires that a product meet the ordinary expectations of the consumer. When a product has an unexpected defect or danger, the product cannot be said to meet the ordinary expectations of the consumer. Products containing inherent defects that harm consumers are the subjects of product liability suits.

While products are generally thought of as tangible personal property, product liability has stretched that definition to include intangibles (gas), naturals (pets), real estate (houses), and writings (navigational charts).

Speak with Us about Your Claim Today

When you file a product liability claim, you are suing the makers or sellers of injurious products. Anyone in the supply chain can be held responsible for damages. When their product was brought to market, the manufacturers and distributors became legally obligated to provide a well-designed product that is reasonably safe when used as intended.

To prove a product liability case, an attorney must demonstrate that:

  • The product had an "unreasonably dangerous" defect that caused injury and that the defect occurred in the product's design, during its manufacture, or during shipping or handling
  • The defect caused injury even though it was being used in the way the manufacturer said that it was intended to be used
  • The product that caused damage had not changed "substantially" from its original sales condition

Other forms of product liability claims are negligence (carelessness, recklessness, or malice) or breach of warranty of fitness (damage directly resulting from inadequate product warnings). Each of these types of suits has its advantages and disadvantages, and we will recognize and recommend the avenue that offers the greatest chance of recompense. In some cases, we may opt to use a combination of the three.

Schedule your free consultation today by dialing (951) 800-7731.

Questions? We Have Answers!

  • Should I provide a recorded statement to the insurance company?

    It is our strong recommendation that this not be done without legal representation so as not to jeopardize your claim. The reality is that insurance claims adjusters are skilled at asking questions that are designed to result in the reduction or denial of your claim. Insurance companies are businesses, and they are in business to make money. Their lawyers often try to use recorded statements in order to minimize or deny the value of accident claims. You need us to help you.

  • Should I inform the other party's insurance company about the accident?

    To pursue the claim, the other party’s insurance company needs to be contacted. However, the other party's insurer — and likely your insurer — may take something that you said and manipulate your statement in order to minimize or altogether deny your accident claim. Again, contact us as soon as possible after your accident, as we can handle any further communication with the insurance companies to ensure no misunderstandings occur and you claim is not jeopardized. Also, if the other party's insurer contacts you for information, you are not obliged to make any statements. Instead, refer the insurer to your attorney.

  • Should I inform my insurance company that I was involved in a crash?

    Yes. Waiting to notify your insurer could result in your accident not being covered. However, when you contact the insurance company, provide only the facts of the case and avoid making any statements about who was at fault. You should contact a personal injury lawyer before making any more statements to the insurance company.

Testimonials

    "Outstanding attorneys who are trustworthy, fair and honest."
    Very professional office with great service.
    - Robert P.
    "We are impressed with your demeanor, your expertise and your patience in explaining all aspects of the case."
    Thank you for your efforts and expertise in all the hours you spent in settling our case.
    - Pauline B.
    "Having Sweeney, Sweeney & Sweeney in my corner throughout the entire process gave me great peace of mind."
    From the intake of the facts of my situation through to the final resolution with the insurance company, they covered every base.
    - Former Client
    "Thank you so much for the manner in which you and your staff handled my claim."
    I am pleased with what I consider to be a fair settlement.
    - Corolean S.
    "Excellent service, courtesy, great personalities, and exceptional professionalism!"
    I certainly know who to go to if I'm ever in need.
    - Joyce J.
    "I feel grateful that there are people in the business of protecting the rights of victims when someone caused the accident."
    Thank you for the professional manner in which everything was handled.
    - Caryl S.
    "Thank you so much for the outstanding legal assistance."
    Thank you for being there for me when I needed help the most!
    - Eleanor C.
    "I really appreciate your honesty and everything you have done for me."
    I really appreciate your honesty and everything you have done for me. God bless you and thank you.
    - Esmeralda T.
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