Product Liability Attorney in San Francisco
No win, no fee product liability lawyer in San Francisco: You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Injured by a defective product in San Francisco? When companies put profit over safety, people like you pay the price.
In 2024 alone, 15.1 million people ended up in emergency departments for injuries caused by consumer products. These are everyday items we’re supposed to trust.
We don’t have to stand for this.
If you were injured by a dangerous product, you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and more. It’s your right to pursue compensation under California law.
A product liability attorney in San Francisco like Stoll & Haynes can hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable for what they’ve done. We’ve represented injury victims across the Bay Area since 1994 and handle product liability cases on a no win, no fee basis.
Why Hire Our San Francisco Product Liability Attorneys?
Product liability claims are often complicated because they involve large companies with a great deal of power and resources. Choosing the right attorney can make a difference in the eventual outcome of your case.
Stoll & Haynes provides legal support and guidance to those who have been injured by dangerous or defective products.
Our product liability legal team offers:
- 30+ years of experience: We’ve represented people like you since 1994.
- Local expertise: We have a deep knowledge of California personal injury law and insurance practices.
- Free consultations: Speak to a product liability lawyer at no cost at our downtown office.
- Contingency fee representation: You pay nothing for a product liability attorney unless we recover compensation for you.
Our team’s not afraid to hold negligent corporations accountable, no matter the size of their legal teams. Here are some successful outcomes in product liability cases:
Serious injury involving a defective product
Settlement amount: $9.6 million
In one product liability case, Stoll & Haynes recovered a confidential settlement of $9.6 million after two-and-a-half years of litigation. Our client had suffered brain damage resulting in quadriplegia.
Death caused by space heater defect
Settlement amount: $9 million
After fire officials attributed a house fire to an unattended cigarette, our product liability lawyers determined that the true cause was actually an electrical failure from a defective space heater.
Read more of our success stories.
Note: Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in the future.
Our Product Liability Attorney Team
Located on Montgomery Street in downtown San Francisco, our product liability lawyers can help you seek justice:
Albert G. Stoll, Jr.
With more than 30 years of legal experience, Al has handled over 40 jury trials and holds an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Walter A. Haynes IV
Walt has proudly represented victims in product liability cases, including a high-value claim against a space heater manufacturer.
Joseph Cagigas
Joseph is a top-rated personal injury attorney who passionately believes in justice. He represents injury victims across the Bay Area and San Diego County.
Michael Seville
Michael’s legal expertise includes personal injury law and wrongful death. He is known for his strategic approach and clear communication.
What Is Product Liability?
You should be able to trust the products you use. But this isn’t always the case.
Products can fail, and when they do, the consequences can be life-changing.
Product liability is what holds companies accountable when their products cause harm. It usually applies when something is:
- Designed in a way that makes it unsafe
- Poorly made
- Missing safety warnings
Have you been injured by a defective product? A product liability lawyer in San Francisco can protect your legal rights.
Related reading: Can I Sue if I Was Injured By a Product? Common Questions About Product Liability in California
Most dangerous products in America
These three products cause the most injuries:
1. Stairs, ramps, landings, and floors (3.1 million injuries in 2024)
2. Beds, pillows, and mattresses (1.1 million injuries)
3. Chairs, sofas, and sofa beds (757,000 injuries)
Source: National Safety Council
3 Types of Product Defects
Product defects normally fall into three categories:
1. Design defects
Definition
When a product isn’t designed properly from the start
Examples
- Missing parts
- Faulty wiring
- Unstable furniture
2. Manufacturing defects
Definition
When a product isn’t manufactured correctly, even if the design itself is safe
Examples
- Overheating electrical appliances
- Contamination in food/medication
- Defective car brakes
3. Marketing defects
Definition
When a product becomes dangerous because of inadequate instructions or labeling
(Also known as failure to warn or instruct)
Examples
- No warnings about choking hazards
- Incorrect dosage information on medication
- Lack of safety instructions on construction machinery
Types of Defective Products
Products involved in California product liability cases include:
- Vehicles and auto parts
- Toys and other children’s products
- Electronics
- Power tools/machinery
- Cosmetics
- Household appliances
- Medical devices
- Dangerous drugs
- Furniture
Who To File a Product Liability Claim Against
You might think that the manufacturer is always liable when a product is defective. However, anyone in the supply chain can be held accountable:
- Designer: The company that designs the product.
- Manufacturer: The company that makes the product.
- Distributor: The company that stores or transports the product.
- Wholesaler: The company that sells the product to retailers.
- Retailer: The company that sells the product to consumers.
Sometimes, it’s really hard to know who’s responsible for a defective product, and more than one company could be to blame.
This is why you need to hire a product liability attorney in San Francisco. The right one can determine who caused you harm and make them face the consequences.
Product Liability and Your Rights in California
The good news is that California law strongly protects consumers injured by defective products. Product liability claims may be based on:
- Strict liability: The company can be held responsible even if they weren’t negligent when the product is proven defective and caused harm (different from regular personal injury claims).
- Negligence: The company failed to act reasonably to prevent harm.
- Breach of warranty: The product didn’t do what the company promised.
Each one of these claims has different requirements and potential damages. A product liability lawyer can tell you about the best options for your situation.
How Product Liability Claims Work in California
Unlike an automobile accident case or slip and fall case, you might not need to prove that someone was negligent to recover compensation in a product liability claim. Showing that the product was defective and caused your injury may be sufficient.
Building a strong product liability claim can involve:
- Determining whether the defect was related to design, manufacturing, or a failure to warn
- Identifying the responsible party, whether that’s a manufacturer, distributor, or another entity in the supply chain
- Looking at whether the product violated safety regulations
- Working with engineers, medical professionals, and other experts to prove how the defect caused your injury
How Much Compensation Can You Get In a Product Liability Claim?
It all depends on what happened and how it affected you. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Product liability damages vary widely and may range from a few thousand dollars to several million dollars, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.
Here are some examples of product liability settlement ranges in California:
Minor injuries
A few thousand dollars
Moderate injuries
Tens of thousands of dollars
Serious injuries
Hundreds of thousands or more
Disclaimer: These broad estimates are based on publicly reported settlements, what product liability lawyers may see, and other factors. The outcome of your case might be different.
Every claim is unique, but having a product liability attorney on your side can help you pursue the best possible outcome.
Compensation after a wrongful death from a product defect
If a loved one’s death was caused by a defective product, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim in California. Compensation may cover funeral costs, medical costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages.
We know that filing a claim for a wrongful death is really hard when you’re grieving a loved one. That’s why we handle each one with compassion and care.
What To Do After Being Injured by a Product
Take action as soon as possible:
- Seek medical attention. Even small injuries can have long-lasting effects.
- Preserve the product as best you can. Don’t repair it or throw it away.
- Document everything. Take photos of the product and keep packaging, receipts, and warranties in a safe place.
- Don’t say anything yet. Never discuss your injuries with the manufacturer (or anyone else) until you contact a product liability attorney in San Francisco. Anything you do say could be held against you later.
- Get legal advice. A defective product attorney can explain next steps and file a product liability claim for you.
Most dangerous products for children
These three products cause the most injuries among 0-4-year-olds:
1. Soaps and detergents (12,530 injuries in 2024)
2. Cooking ranges, ovens, etc. (9,062 injuries)
3. TV sets and stands (6,467 injuries)
Source: National Safety Council
Do You Really Need to Hire a Product Liability Attorney in San Francisco?
The responsible party’s insurance company may try to fight your product liability claim. They could say that you’re to blame or that there was nothing wrong with the product in the first place.
Don’t fall for these tricks.
Instead, get in touch with a Bay Area product liability lawyer who’s on your side.
A defective product attorney at Stoll & Haynes can:
- Investigate what really happened
- Determine who’s at fault
- Negotiate a fair and full settlement with insurers on your behalf
- Represent you in court, if it comes to this
Product Liability Attorney in San Francisco FAQs
Anyone in the supply chain may be held responsible, including the manufacturer, designer, wholesaler, or retailer. A product liability lawyer in San Francisco can identify the liable party or parties.
Not necessarily. Some claims can be based on strict liability, which means you don’t need to prove the company was negligent. You’ll still need to prove the product was defective and caused harm.
California generally gives 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim, while other types of claims might have different deadlines. The delayed discovery rule (refer to CACI No. 455) may allow for more time if you didn’t immediately realize that a product caused your injury. Contact a product liability attorney in San Francisco to learn more.
Related reading: San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs.
Contact Stoll & Haynes Today
We constantly hear news stories about products causing injuries, and it has to stop. When a product is defective, people are at risk.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact Stoll & Haynes directly.