Practice Area
Product Defect
Injured by a defective product in the Bay Area? Manufacturers can be held strictly liable — no proof of negligence required.
Every year, defective products injure thousands of people in California. From faulty auto parts and dangerous medical devices to defective consumer electronics and contaminated food, manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe. When they fail, California's strict liability laws hold them accountable.
Stoll & Haynes has represented Bay Area clients in product defect matters for over 30 years, securing a $9.6 million verdict in a defective product case involving life-altering injuries. We have the resources and expertise to take on large manufacturers and their legal teams.
California's strict liability doctrine means you don't have to prove the manufacturer was negligent — only that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. Our attorneys know how to build these complex cases and fight for maximum compensation.
How We Help
What Our Product Defect Lawyers Do
Identify the Defect Type
We determine whether your case involves a design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn — each requires a different legal strategy.
Retain Expert Witnesses
We work with engineers, medical experts, and industry specialists to prove the product was defective and caused your injury.
Preserve the Product
The defective product itself is critical evidence. We act immediately to secure and preserve it before it's destroyed or altered.
Pursue All Liable Parties
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and component part makers may all be liable. We identify and pursue every responsible party.
Handle Class Actions
If many people were injured by the same defective product, we can evaluate whether a class action or mass tort approach is appropriate.
Fight Large Corporations
We have the resources and experience to take on large manufacturers and their legal teams in complex product defect litigation.
Why Stoll & Haynes
California's Trusted Product Defect Attorneys
- 30+ years representing Bay Area clients in product defect cases
- $9.6M verdict in a defective product case involving life-altering injuries
- Attorney fee earned only upon successful recovery
- Confidential case evaluations at our San Francisco Financial District office
- Network of engineering and medical experts for complex product cases
- Experience taking on large manufacturers and corporations
Free Case Evaluation
Contingency fee basis — our fee is earned only upon a successful recovery on personal injury cases. Serving clients throughout the State of California.
FAQ
Common Questions About Product Defect in California
Under California's strict liability doctrine, a manufacturer can be held liable for injuries caused by a defective product even if they were not negligent. You only need to prove the product was defective, you were using it as intended, and the defect caused your injury.
California recognizes three types: (1) Design defects — the product's design is inherently dangerous; (2) Manufacturing defects — a specific product deviated from its intended design during production; (3) Failure to warn — the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about known dangers.
Generally two years from the date of injury. However, there are exceptions — including cases where the defect wasn't discovered immediately. Contact us to evaluate your specific situation.
It depends. If you were using the product in a reasonably foreseeable way — even if not the intended use — you may still recover. If your misuse was unforeseeable, it may reduce or bar your recovery. Our attorneys can evaluate your specific situation.
Injured or Treated Unfairly? We Can Help.
Stoll & Haynes has been fighting for clients throughout the State of California since 1994. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
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