As a consumer, you have a legal right to expect that every product you purchase from a brick-and-mortar store or a reputable online retailer will function as advertised and will not put you at risk of serious injury. However, the number of product recall notices issued in the United States is clear evidence that, by accident or through conscious neglect, defective products are quite common.

If you have been injured by a dangerously defective product and were not properly notified about the hazard, you may have grounds to file suit against the product’s manufacturer under product liability law. However, these types of claims can be very difficult to pursue without a seasoned personal injury attorney’s help. Contacting a Modesto product liability lawyer from Curtis Legal Group should be your top priority if you want to maximize your chances of obtaining a fair recovery.

What Types of Product Defects Could Justify Lawsuits?

While it is possible to file a defective product lawsuit under the theory of negligence, like you would with most other types of personal injury claims, most successful product liability cases are built instead around a theory of strict liability. Manufacturers are automatically liable for injuries that their products cause to consumers if the product had a dangerous defect in its core design, was manufactured or assembled improperly, or did not have sufficient instructions and warnings for safe use included in its packaging.

In order to have grounds to sue over one of these three product defects, you must also be able to prove that the defect existed when the product left its manufacturer’s direct control, that the product’s condition did not meaningfully change between that point and when you were hurt by it, and that you were using the product reasonably when your injury occurred. A Modesto attorney could help establish all of this to the satisfaction of a civil court during a product liability case.

Filing Time Limits for Product Liability Claims

Legal counsel could also ensure you file suit within the deadline set by the statute of limitations. As is the case for most personal injury cases, state law gives prospective product liability plaintiffs just two years to file suit after initially suffering—or, sometimes, discovering they have suffered—harm from a defective product.

Fortunately, California differs from some other states in that it does not have a statute of repose, which would prohibit you from suing over a defective product if too much time has passed since the date you purchased the product. Two years is a short period of time in which to construct a comprehensive claim, though, so working with a skilled defective products lawyer in Modesto could be key to achieving a favorable outcome.

Speak With a Product Liability Attorney in Modesto Today

The term strict liability may make it sound as though holding a big corporation liable for a defective product is a simple and straightforward matter. In reality, though, these companies often fight aggressively to protect their financial interests and their reputations when faced with lawsuits of this nature.

If you want to hold a manufacturer accountable for the harm their product has caused you, you will want support from the area’s Heavy Hitters™, who have been fighting effectively on behalf of people like you for more than 70 years. Call today to schedule a meeting with a Modesto product liability lawyer and learn what Curtis Legal Group could do for you.