Santa Barbara Product Liability Attorney

Written by: Tyrone J. Maho

Despite legislated safety standards and government oversight, unsafe products continue to make their way on the market. These products can cause significant harm to users.

You Must Only Prove A Defect

The law in California holds producers strictly liable for their products, which means you don’t have to prove negligence, only that a defect in the product caused your injury. However, that doesn’t mean products cases are easy to win; large manufacturers have a strong economic incentive to fight your claim. That’s why you need an experienced products liability attorney who can help you get full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages including death.

When Defective Products Cause Harm

A product is defective if there is a high probability of injury when a consumer uses it as intended. This represents a breach of warranty by the manufacturer. Product defects fall into these three categories:

1. Design — A defect in design means that a product was poorly planned. The classic example is the Ford Pinto, whose gas tank was placed outside the protective steel frame of the car. Rear-end impacts caused the tank to rupture and burst into flame. The absence of a standard safety feature is generally considered a design defect.
2. Manufacture — When manufacturers use substandard processes or materials, they can create defects in products that are well-designed. A common problem is toxicity in products made with materials that have a high lead content. Other products, such as tires that shed their tread, simply cannot stand up to the stress of the tasks they’re meant to perform.
3. Labeling — Certain products are inherently unsafe, so the law demands they have adequate warnings about the hazards of improper use. Labels that are not clear or obvious may not be adequate to prevent consumers from using the product in an unsafe manner that the producer should have anticipated. From power tools to prescription drugs, safety warnings are essential.

Our personal injury attorneys have 50 years of combined experience. We are prepared to represent you in defective product cases involving such consumer goods such as:

• Appliances
• Auto parts
• Car seats
• Children’s clothing, furniture and toys
• Power tools
• Tires

One key to your recovery is proving that the defect was “baked into” the product you bought and did not result from any unreasonable action you took to alter the product. Maho Prentice, LLP, thoroughly investigates the circumstances of your injury to assemble a compelling case for relief.

We Are Here To Help You

Maho Prentice, LLP, represents consumers throughout California who have sustained injuries from defective products. To learn more, call 805-962-1930 anytime or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer. Our phones are staffed 24/7 in both English and Spanish. If you’re unable to visit our Santa Barbara office, we can come to your home or hospital room. Weekend and evening appointments are available.