Understanding Compensation in Consumer Product Lawsuits

When Products Cause Harm

You count on everyday products to work safely, but when something goes wrong, the injuries can be life-changing. In California, defective or dangerous consumer goods—from kitchen appliances to electronics—can leave you dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain. Navigating a product liability claim isn’t simple, but knowing your rights and what compensation may be available can help you move forward. If you have questions about your options, contact us today for a free consultation or call (888) 970-8627.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability means a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer can be held responsible if a product they put on the market causes injury. In California, state law allows you to pursue a claim for injuries from faulty consumer products, whether it’s a malfunctioning appliance or a toy with hidden hazards. To understand how these claims work, it helps to start with the basics:

• Strict liability: You don’t have to prove the company was careless—just that the product was defective and caused harm.
• Negligence: Sometimes, you may also claim the company failed to take reasonable care in designing, making, or warning about the product.
• Breach of warranty: If the product didn’t work as promised, you could have a breach of warranty claim, too.

To see how this compares with other types of liability, look at our overview of product liability in California and explore different matter types like defective medical devices.

Types of Recoverable Damages

When you bring a lawsuit over a faulty consumer product, the main question is: what compensation can you actually get? California law allows you to seek various types of damages:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Disability or disfigurement
• Emotional distress

Each case is unique, so the specific damages depend on your injuries and how the defective product affected your life. For examples of common injuries, see our article on injuries from hazardous toys.

How California Law Protects You

California’s product liability laws are among the strongest in the country. Under the state’s strict liability doctrine, you can hold a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer accountable for injuries from defective products—without having to prove they acted carelessly. This applies to:

• Design defects: The product was dangerous by design.
• Manufacturing defects: Mistakes happened while making the product.
• Warning defects: The company failed to warn of known risks.

If you’re wondering about other state protections, our guide to dangerous drugs liability provides more insight.

Steps to Take After an Injury

If you’re hurt by a consumer product, taking the right steps can protect your rights and increase your chances of compensation. Here’s what you should do:

• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
• Keep the product and any packaging or receipts.
• Take photos of your injuries and the product.
• Write down exactly what happened.
• Avoid repairs or changes to the product.
• Contact a product liability attorney before talking to manufacturers or insurers.

For a more detailed checklist, see how to prove a product was defective and our step-by-step guide to filing a defective medical device lawsuit.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Under California law, responsibility can extend to several parties:

• Manufacturers (the company that made the product)
• Distributors
• Retailers (the store where you bought the product)
• Suppliers of parts or materials

This broad approach increases your chances of recovering damages, even if the company that made the product is out of business.

If you’re unsure who might be responsible in your case, our page on defective vehicle parts liability can help clarify.

Calculating Your Compensation

Several factors affect how much compensation you may receive:

• Severity of your injuries
• Medical costs (including future care)
• Impact on your job and ability to earn a living
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
• Whether you were partly at fault (California uses “comparative fault” rules)

Every claim is different, so it’s important to document everything and work with an attorney who understands California’s product liability laws.

Wrongful Death from Faulty Products

Sometimes, defective products result in fatalities. If you’ve lost a loved one, California law allows certain family members to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. Damages can include:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship

Learn more about wrongful death claims in California and how damages are calculated.

Punitive Damages: When Are They Possible?

In rare cases, a California court may award punitive damages if a company’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior, not just compensate the victim. Examples include:

• Ignoring known safety risks
• Covering up defects
• Failing to recall dangerous products

For more about this, check our article on compensation in wrongful death lawsuits.

Settlements vs. Going to Court

Most product liability cases in California settle before trial. However, sometimes going to court is necessary to secure fair compensation. Your attorney can help you decide what’s best for your situation by weighing:

• The strength of your evidence
• Settlement offers
• Risks and benefits of trial

To understand what’s involved, see how to recover damages in product lawsuits.

How Long Do You Have to File?

In California, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to compensation. Exceptions may apply for:

• Delayed discovery of the injury
• Minors injured by defective products

Our overview of statutes of limitations for product liability covers this in more detail.

Getting Legal Help

Product liability claims are complex. Manufacturers and insurers have teams of lawyers working to limit payouts. Having an attorney on your side can help you:

• Investigate the defect
• Gather evidence
• Negotiate with insurers
• Take your case to court if needed

If you’ve been hurt by a dangerous drug, our team also handles dangerous drug claims.

Common Questions about Damages

Many people have questions about what damages they can recover, how lost wages are calculated, or what happens if they were partly at fault. For these answers and more, see our FAQ section below.

What to Expect from the Process

Bringing a product liability claim in California usually involves:

• Investigating the defect
• Filing a complaint
• Discovery (exchanging evidence)
• Negotiations
• Trial (if needed)

The process can take months to years, depending on the complexity of your case.

Next Steps

If you’re struggling after an injury from a faulty product, you don’t have to face it alone. The attorneys at Attain Law are here to explain your options and advocate for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation or call (888) 970-8627. We’re here to support you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Compensation in Consumer Product Lawsuits

What damages can I recover in a California consumer product lawsuit? You may recover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses caused by the defective product, depending on your case.

Who can be held responsible for a defective product injury? Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and suppliers can all be held liable under California law if a product defect caused your injury.

Is there a deadline for filing a product liability claim in California? Yes. You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a claim, but exceptions may apply in some situations.

What if I was partially at fault for my injury? California’s comparative fault rules may reduce your compensation by your percentage of responsibility, but you can still recover damages.

Does my case have to go to court? Most claims settle out of court, but some require a trial if a fair agreement can’t be reached. Your attorney can help you decide the best approach.