Product Liability

Product liability laws empower consumers to hold manufacturers accountable when their unsafe products cause harm. From everyday items to medical devices and drugs, defective products can cause serious personal injuries. By filing a product liability lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. See if a top attorney may be able to fight for you.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a product liability lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$40 million for a veteran exposed to asbestos from Goodyear gaskets
$1.16 million for a Roundup^® victim in New York
$575,000 for a man in Florida who suffered chemical burns from Just for Men^® hair dye

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Mar 04, 2025

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability is an area of the law that allows consumers to take legal action against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers if they’ve been harmed by a dangerous or defective product.

Product liability lawsuits are often filed over:

Design defects: Problems with the product’s design that make it dangerous
Manufacturing defects: Mistakes made during production that result in an unsafe item
Marketing defects: Inadequate instructions, warnings, or labels that fail to alert users of risks

Consumers trust that the products they buy are safe for use. When that’s not the case, they may be able to file a lawsuit. By working with a product liability lawyer, they can increase their chances of a successful outcome.

LawFirm.com works with attorneys who have secured over $9.8 billion for those harmed through no fault of their own. Our legal partners never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees and can help victims nationwide.

If you or a loved one was injured by a dangerous product, contact us now to see if a top product liability lawyer may be able to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Product Liability Case Types

A wide range of products have been linked to safety issues, including cosmetics, food items, medical devices, and prescription medications.

Find out more about products that have put millions of Americans in harm’s way in recent years.

Consumer Goods

When companies prioritize profits over the safety of their customers, the results can be devastating. Defective products have been known to cause serious personal injuries like cancer and even wrongful death.

Everyday products that may cause harm include:

One example of how these goods can result in harm is talcum powder products, which may have caused some consumers to come in contact with asbestos through daily use. Many have developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after being exposed to the carcinogen.

Product liability lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers have resulted in billions of dollars for victims and sent a message that their actions are unacceptable. You can find out more in our talcum powder lawsuit updates.

Medical Devices

Every year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls dozens of medical devices over safety issues. Defective medical devices can be especially hazardous when they’re implanted in the body.

Medical devices that may cause harm include:

Patients often need revision surgery to replace a defective medical device and may face long-term health challenges. A product liability lawsuit can hold manufacturers accountable, secure compensation for expensive surgeries, and more.

Dangerous Drugs

Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe and warn of any risks. However, dozens of prescription and over-the-counter medications have caused patients to suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries.

Drugs that may cause harm include:

If you or a loved one suffered serious side effects after using one of these drugs, you may be eligible for compensation from a product liability lawsuit.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if you may be able to take legal action for the harm you suffered.

Who Can File a Product Liability Lawsuit?

You may be able to file a product liability lawsuit if you or a loved one:

Used a product as intended
Suffered a personal injury as a result

Even if you didn’t buy the product, you may still be able to file a product liability claim if it caused harm. For example, a bystander may be able to sue if they were injured by a defective product.

Families of victims may also qualify to file a product liability lawsuit if a loved one has passed away from their injuries.

Steps to Filing Product Liability Claims

An experienced lawyer can handle all aspects of filing a product liability claim, making the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible. With a lawyer handling all of the legal legwork, you can focus on your health and family.

The basic process of filing a product liability lawsuit involves:

Getting a free case review to determine if you may be able to take legal action
Collecting evidence, like your purchase receipts, medical records, and proof of damages
Filing a defective product lawsuit against the manufacturer and any other at-fault parties
Negotiating a settlement to provide quicker access to compensation

The majority of product liability lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements, but your team will be ready to argue your case in court and fight for a verdict if a settlement isn’t able to be reached.

Product liability lawsuit settlements may vary in amount depending on the severity of your injuries and other factors. These settlements may award compensation for your past and future medical expenses, property damage, emotional distress, and more.

Product Liability Statute of Limitations

How much time you have to file a product liability lawsuit depends on the statute of limitations, which varies by state.

In most states, consumers have between 2 and 4 years to file a claim for harm caused by a defective product. However, this deadline can be as short as 1 year for some victims.

In some cases, exceptions may apply that give you more time to take legal action. A product liability lawyer can explain the deadline that applies in your case and act quickly to protect your legal rights.

Get a free case review now to see if we can connect you with a top lawyer near you before the deadline for your case passes.

What to Look for in a Product Liability Lawyer

Finding the right lawyer is key to a successful product liability lawsuit. Top product liability attorneys have important resources to help prove liability for defective products and maximize results for clients.

Qualities of top product liability lawyers include:

A proven track record of success in cases similar to yours
Access to expert witnesses who can gather evidence about defective products to support and strengthen your case
Nationwide presence, allowing them to handle product liability cases across the country
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, so there’s no risk to take legal action
Years of experience handling defective product lawsuits and navigating applicable federal and state product liability laws

LawFirm.com has partnered with top personal injury attorneys who have all of these qualities and more. They’re standing by ready to help families who have been harmed by dangerous products.

Get Legal Help With a Product Liability Lawsuit

Manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe and properly warn users of any risks. When companies rush a product to market or fail to inform consumers about potential safety issues, they can be held accountable.

LawFirm.com works with product liability lawyers who can even the playing field for victims against the companies that caused them harm. Together, they’ve recovered over $9.8 billion for those injured through no fault of their own.

Our legal partners:

Are leaders in product liability litigation
Can help victims in all 50 states
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve.

Product Liability Lawsuits FAQs

What is covered by product liability?

Product liability is a legal theory that covers a manufacturer’s responsibility for personal injuries or damage caused by a defective product. This includes design defects, manufacturing defects, or lack of warnings about the risk of harm.

Under the theory of strict liability, product manufacturers can be held accountable for defects even if they used reasonable care. In other words, they don’t need to have acted negligently to be held responsible for causing harm.

Get a free case review now to see if you may be eligible for compensation from a product liability suit.

What is an example of a product liability risk?

A product liability risk is when a product has a design, manufacturing, or marketing risk that could potentially harm a consumer. Examples include a car with faulty tires, a medication with undisclosed side effects, and food that could make someone sick.

What does product liability mean for a manufacturer?

For manufacturers, product liability means they can be held responsible for placing a product on the market that causes harm to consumers.

By filing a product liability lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if you may be able to take legal action.

Can you recover emotional damages from a product liability lawsuit?

Yes, you may be able to recover emotional damages from a product liability lawsuit. To do so, your attorney must show that product defects caused you to suffer emotional distress along with any physical injuries.

What are some defective product lawsuit examples?

There have been many product liability lawsuits filed against manufacturers and retailers of dangerous products in recent years.

Examples include:

Asbestos lawsuits
Dangerous drug lawsuits
Medical device lawsuits

Product liability lawsuits have awarded billions of dollars to victims harmed by defective products, providing them with compensation for their medical bills and a sense of justice.

A personal injury lawyer can provide legal advice and fight for the justice victims deserve.