Product Liability Lawyer Los Angeles

A defective product injured you. The manufacturer will argue user error. Former insurance defense attorneys at Lederer & Nojima know how to prove design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn.

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Product liability cases are different from car accidents and slip and falls. You do not need to prove negligence. California applies strict liability when a defective product causes injury. The manufacturer, distributor, and retailer are all liable if the product was defective when it left their control. This is a significant legal advantage, but insurers will fight it.

David Lederer and John Nojima are former corporate insurance defense attorneys. They know the three theories of product liability under California law: manufacturing defect, design defect, and failure to warn. They know which theory applies to your case and how to prove it with engineering experts and industry standards. They know how manufacturers destroy evidence and argue comparative fault to reduce your recovery.

Preserving the product is critical. Do not repair it, discard it, or return it to the store. Photograph it from every angle. Document the serial number, model number, and purchase location. The product itself is the primary evidence. If you no longer have it, call us immediately. We can often obtain it through discovery or locate an identical product for expert testing.

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Former Insurance Defense

David Lederer and John Nojima defended insurers for years before switching sides. They know every strategy the adjuster will use to reduce your settlement.

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No Fee Unless We Win

Zero upfront cost. We work on contingency - our fee comes from your recovery. If we do not win, you pay nothing.

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Free Consultation 24/7

Call any time. We respond to urgent matters around the clock and take over all insurer communication the day you hire us.

What the Manufacturer and Insurer Will Not Tell You

These are tactics we saw when we defended product liability claims. Now we expose them.

They will argue you misused the product

Manufacturers claim every injury is user error. California law requires products to be safe for reasonably foreseeable use, not just intended use. If a product can be misused in a predictable way, it must be designed to prevent that misuse or include warnings. We prove foreseeability with expert testimony and industry standards.

They will destroy evidence if you wait

Manufacturers issue silent recalls, destroy design documents, and discontinue product lines to eliminate evidence. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove a systemic defect. We file claims quickly and use discovery to preserve evidence before it disappears.

They will sue multiple defendants to dilute liability

Manufacturers blame the distributor. Distributors blame the retailer. Retailers blame you. California allows us to sue everyone in the chain and force them to allocate fault among themselves. We identify all defendants with insurance and pursue them simultaneously.

They will argue the product met industry standards

Compliance with industry standards is not a defense in California. A product can meet every regulatory requirement and still be defectively designed if a safer design was feasible. We retain engineers who prove alternative designs existed at the time of manufacture.

What We Do in Product Liability Cases

We retain mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and product safety experts who inspect the product, test it under controlled conditions, and provide sworn testimony about the defect. We obtain the manufacturer's design files, safety testing records, and internal communications through discovery. We research whether other users reported similar injuries and whether the manufacturer knew about the defect before your injury.

We identify all defendants in the distribution chain and file claims against each one. This includes the foreign manufacturer, the U.S. importer, the wholesaler, and the retail store. Each defendant has separate insurance. We maximize recovery by pursuing all available sources.

Lederer & Nojima, LLP is located at 12100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Call (310) 312-1860 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of product liability claims?
California recognizes three theories: manufacturing defect (product was made incorrectly), design defect (product was designed in a way that makes it unreasonably dangerous), and failure to warn (product lacked adequate safety warnings). We analyze which theory applies to your case and pursue all available claims.
Do I have to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
No. California applies strict liability to product defect cases. You do not need to prove negligence - only that the product was defective and that defect caused your injury. This is a significant advantage over other types of injury claims.
Can I sue the store where I bought the product?
Yes. California law allows claims against everyone in the distribution chain - the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, and retailer. We identify all defendants with insurance coverage to maximize your recovery.
What if the product has been thrown away or returned?
Preserving the product is critical evidence. If you still have it, do not discard it or repair it. If you already returned or discarded it, we can obtain the product through discovery or locate an identical item for testing. Call us immediately to preserve evidence.
How long do I have to file a product liability claim in California?
Two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If the defect caused a latent injury that was not immediately discovered, the statute may be extended - but do not wait. Evidence disappears and manufacturers destroy records. Call us now.

Related Practice Areas

Results may vary. Every case is unique. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Lederer & Nojima, LLP at 12100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA 90025 or call (310) 312-1860.

Injured by a Defective Product? Call Now.

No fee unless we win. Former insurance defense attorneys on your side.

Available 24/7  ·  No fee unless we win  ·  (310) 312-1860