Legally Reviewed by Phillip Younglove, Esq. on October 12, 2026
Newport Beach Product Liability Lawyer
When a defective product causes an injury, California law gives victims a significant advantage most people do not realize exists: you do not need to prove the manufacturer was careless. You only need to show the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury.
At Younglove Law Group, our Newport Beach personal injury attorneys have recovered over $60 million for injured clients throughout California, bringing more than 20 years of combined legal experience to product liability claims. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — California Law Limits Your Window to File
California’s statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally two years from the date of the injury.
Younglove Law Group has recovered over $60 million for injured Californians over more than 20 years of combined legal experience. We handle product liability cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Call (949) 691-3660 for a Free Consultation
California’s Strict Liability Standard for Defective Products
Since the California Supreme Court’s 1963 decision in Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, California has applied strict liability to defective product claims. Under this standard, an injured consumer does not need to prove the manufacturer acted negligently, only that the product was defective when it left the manufacturer’s control and that the defect caused the injury. This standard applies to every entity in the chain of distribution, from the manufacturer down to the retail store where the product was purchased, giving injured consumers multiple potential sources of recovery.
The Three Types of Product Defects Under California Law
Under Barker v. Lull Engineering, California recognizes three distinct categories of product defects, and a claim only needs to fit one of them.
Manufacturing Defects
A manufacturing defect occurs when a specific unit differs from the manufacturer’s intended design, even though the overall product design is safe. These are often the most straightforward to prove, since the comparison is between the defective unit and other units from the same production run.
Design Defects
A design defect means the entire product line is unsafe even when manufactured exactly as intended. California allows a design defect claim to proceed under either of two tests: the consumer expectations test, asking whether the product failed to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect, or the risk-benefit test, weighing the product’s inherent risks against its benefits. Under the risk-benefit test, once a plaintiff makes an initial showing that the design caused the injury, the burden shifts to the manufacturer to prove the design was not defective, a significant advantage for injured consumers.
Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects)
A product can be defective not because of how it was built or designed, but because the manufacturer failed to provide an adequate warning about a non-obvious risk. California holds manufacturers strictly liable for failing to warn consumers of risks they knew or reasonably should have known about at the time of sale.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Product Liability Claim
Because strict liability extends to the entire chain of distribution, potential defendants can include the product manufacturer, the manufacturer of a defective component, the distributor, and the retail store that sold the product. Our attorneys investigate the full distribution chain to identify every available source of recovery for your claim.
Common Types of Product Liability Claims We Handle
Our attorneys handle product liability claims involving defective vehicles and auto parts, household appliances and products, children’s products and toys, medical devices, industrial machinery and tools, and consumer electronics. Defective children’s products in particular often overlap with our child injury practice, given how frequently young children are harmed by inadequately designed or labeled products.
What Compensation Is Available After a Product Liability Injury
California law allows injured victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover emergency treatment, hospitalization, ongoing and future medical care, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering and the lasting impact of your injuries on your daily life. In cases involving a fatality, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim for the full scope of their loss.
What to Do After Being Injured by a Defective Product
- Seek medical attention immediately. Document your injuries and their connection to the product as early as possible.
- Preserve the product exactly as it was at the time of the injury. Do not attempt to repair it, alter it, or discard it, and keep all original packaging, manuals, and receipts if available. The product itself is often the single most important piece of evidence in your claim.
- Photograph the product and your injuries. Document the product’s condition, any visible defect, and how the injury occurred.
- Keep records of where and when you purchased the product. This helps establish the full chain of distribution.
- Avoid returning the product to the manufacturer or retailer. Doing so can result in losing access to this critical evidence.
- Contact Younglove Law Group promptly. Our attorneys can help preserve evidence and begin investigating your claim right away.
Statute of Limitations for Newport Beach Product Liability Claims
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, most product liability claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim permanently.
Contact Younglove Law Group as soon as possible after your injury to protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Newport Beach Product Liability Claims
Do I have to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
No. California applies strict liability to defective product claims, meaning you only need to show the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. You do not need to prove the manufacturer was careless or acted unreasonably.
What are the three types of product defects in California?
California recognizes manufacturing defects, where a specific unit differs from the intended design, design defects, where the entire product line is unsafe even when made correctly, and failure-to-warn defects, where the manufacturer failed to adequately warn of a known risk. A claim only needs to fit one of these categories.
Why is it important to keep the product that caused my injury?
The product itself is often the central piece of evidence in a product liability claim. Repairing, altering, discarding, or returning it can seriously damage your case by eliminating the evidence needed to establish the defect.
Can I sue the store where I bought the product, or only the manufacturer?
Strict liability in California extends to every entity in the chain of distribution, including retailers and distributors, not just the original manufacturer. Our attorneys evaluate the full distribution chain to identify every available source of recovery.
How long do I have to file a product liability claim in California?
Most product liability claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim permanently.
How much does it cost to hire a Newport Beach product liability lawyer?
Younglove Law Group handles all product liability cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and we advance all costs of investigating and litigating your claim. If your case does not resolve in your favor, you owe us nothing.
Call (949) 691-3660 for a Free Consultation
We are available 24/7. We care about your situation and want you to understand your legal options.
Younglove Law Group also handles Newport Beach child injury claims, car accident claims, and wrongful death claims throughout the city.
- Client satisfaction is our top priority.
- We pride ourselves on responsiveness and always get back to you the same day you contact us.
- We are a real law firm, not a referral service.
- Your case will be handled by experienced legal professionals.
- Your case will not be passed around with repeated changes to your primary contact.
Contact Younglove Law Group’s Newport Beach Product Liability Attorneys
Attorney Phillip Younglove earned his J.D. from USC Gould School of Law and his B.A. in History from UCLA. Before founding Younglove Law Group, he was a senior attorney at one of the largest personal injury firms in California, where he built a reputation excelling in bad faith insurance claims that most firms consider too complex. That background, combined with over $60 million recovered for injured clients and recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, means your claim is handled by attorneys who understand exactly how the other side builds its defense.
If you or a family member was injured by a defective product anywhere in Newport Beach, contact Younglove Law Group for a free consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your options, and begin building the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
