When you purchase a product, you expect it to function as advertised and not to present any unreasonable risks. Unfortunately, commercial products can cause customers to be injured, and the resulting losses can be immense.
If a design flaw, error in manufacturing, or inadequate instructions or warnings caused you or your loved one harm, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you with a claim. The state’s product liability laws are designed to protect consumers such as you from harmful consumer goods. If a defective product caused injury to you or someone you care about, reach out to Erkel Law, P.C., today for guidance from a Sacramento product liability lawyer.
To assist your Sacramento attorney in making a successful product liability claim, you will need to demonstrate the following four legal elements:
This might seem straightforward since you know the product malfunctioned. However, proving these elements can be challenging, especially if the manufacturer disputes fault.
Product liability law holds designers, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable for ensuring their products are reasonably safe for consumers. Under strict liability rules, you do not have to prove negligence; only that a defective product directly caused your injuries. Those injuries may include physical harm, financial setbacks, and emotional suffering. If you were hurt by a dangerous or faulty product, a Sacramento product liability lawyer at Erkel Law, P.C. can guide you through your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If a defective consumer product causes injury, building a strong claim depends on proving that one of three distinct types of defects applies:
Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe from the outset. When the underlying design is flawed, the entire line of products is inherently dangerous. Because design issues are often overlooked during development, unsafe products can reach the market and remain available far too long. Sometimes these cases lead to recalls, such as with defective car parts, while other products may need to be permanently discontinued.
Even when a product’s design is sound, errors in the manufacturing process can create serious risks. Problems may arise from cost-cutting shortcuts, oversight, or inadequate quality control. These flaws can affect a single batch or an entire run, leaving unsuspecting consumers vulnerable.
Sellers are required to provide clear instructions and adequate warnings so consumers can use products safely. When companies omit crucial guidance or fail to communicate known risks, the lack of proper warnings itself becomes the defect. Even a well-made product can support a liability claim if consumers are not properly informed about how to use it.
A skilled Sacramento attorney can review the details of a defective product accident to determine its cause and who should be held legally liable.
An experienced attorney from Erkel Law, P.C. can help you pursue the full compensation available in a Sacramento product liability claim. This may include coverage for your medical expenses, such as hospital care, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment if your injuries are long-term or lead to lasting complications. You may also be entitled to recover lost wages from the time you have already missed at work, as well as compensation for reduced future earning potential if your ability to work has been permanently affected.
Beyond these economic damages, you can also seek recovery for the physical pain and emotional suffering you have endured. These non-economic losses can be especially significant and, in many cases, may exceed the value of your financial damages. Depending on your circumstances, you may also have grounds to pursue additional compensation for property damage, necessary lifestyle adjustments, or the effect your injuries have had on your family relationships.
Because California law limits you to just two years from the date of injury to file a product liability claim, it is crucial to act quickly to protect your right to recovery.
A Sacramento product liability lawyer at Erkel Law, P.C., has reserves of experience helping valued clients resolve their claims favorably and will take every possible course of action on your behalf. Call today for more information about how Erkel Law, P.C., can help you.
(916) 709-3702 
