TRUSTED PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWYERS IN SHERMAN OAKS AND ENCINO

MANUFACTURERS

Both the company that produced the final product and those that created any individual components can be held responsible. This liability applies to both domestic and international manufacturers. For example, if a car manufacturer produces a vehicle with a faulty braking system or an electronics company produces a smartphone with a defective battery, they can be held accountable for any resulting injuries.

THIRD PARTY DESIGNERS

If the product design was outsourced, the design firm can be held accountable for any design flaws. For instance, if a design firm creates a medical device with a flawed mechanism that leads to patient injury, that firm can be held liable for the defect.

SUPPLIERS

Companies that supplied materials or parts for the product can also be liable if their contributions are found to be defective. For example, if a supplier provides contaminated raw materials for food production, causing illness, they can be held responsible for the resulting harm.

DISTRIBUTORS

Entities involved in the distribution chain, such as wholesalers and intermediaries, can be held responsible for moving the defective product from the manufacturer to the retailer. For instance, if a distributor handles and damages a product during transportation, resulting in a defect, they can be held liable for any injuries caused by the damaged product.

RETAILERS

Retail stores and online platforms that sell the product to consumers can be held liable for selling defective products, even if they did not manufacture or design them. For example, if a retailer sells a batch of defective children's toys that pose a choking hazard, they can be held accountable for any injuries to children who play with the toys.

INDEPENDENT TESTING LABORATORIES

Third-party laboratories that tested the product and failed to identify defects can be held responsible for their oversight. For instance, if a laboratory certifies a pharmaceutical drug as safe without detecting harmful side effects, and consumers suffer as a result, the laboratory can be held liable.

SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Individuals or entities responsible for marketing and selling the product can be liable if they did not ensure the product's safety or provided misleading information. For example, if a sales representative promotes a kitchen appliance as safe despite knowing it has a tendency to overheat and cause fires, they can be held accountable for any resulting damage or injuries.

HOSPITALS, CLINICS, AND DOCTORS

In cases involving medical devices, not only the healthcare providers who used or recommended the defective product can be held accountable, but also the entire chain of production and distribution, including manufacturers, distributors, and sellers. For instance, if a doctor prescribes a defective surgical implant that causes complications, both the healthcare provider and the manufacturers and distributors of the implant can be held liable for the patient's injuries. Similarly, restaurants, grocery stores, and other sellers can be held accountable if they distribute defective medical products or food items.

Defective products can also include food items with foreign objects or defective packaging. For example, if a consumer finds a foreign object in their food purchased from a restaurant or grocery store, the entire chain from the manufacturer to the retailer can be held liable for any resulting injuries. Defective packaging, such as tampered seals or inadequate labeling, can also pose significant risks and lead to liability for all parties involved in the product's distribution.