Understanding Product Liability Claims
When a defective product causes you injury, you deserve compensation from those responsible for bringing that dangerous item to market. Product liability cases involve complex legal standards and require thorough investigation into manufacturing processes, design flaws, and failure to warn consumers. At Law Offices of Greene and Lloyd, we represent injured residents of Mill Creek East who have suffered harm due to faulty products, helping them recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our firm understands the challenges victims face when battling large manufacturers and their insurance companies. We handle the investigation, gather evidence from engineers and medical professionals, and build compelling cases on your behalf. Whether your injury resulted from a defective appliance, unsafe toy, faulty automobile component, or contaminated consumer product, we provide aggressive representation to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Why Product Liability Claims Matter
Product liability claims serve a vital function in protecting consumers and holding manufacturers accountable for unsafe products. When you pursue a claim, you not only recover compensation for your injuries but also help prevent other consumers from experiencing similar harm. Manufacturers are required to design safe products, provide adequate warnings, and ensure quality control throughout the production process. By pursuing legal action, you send a powerful message that safety matters and that companies must meet their obligations to consumers.
Your Mill Creek East Product Liability Attorneys
Law Offices of Greene and Lloyd has successfully represented product liability victims throughout Washington state for years. Our attorneys combine legal knowledge with technical understanding of manufacturing processes, design principles, and safety standards. We work with qualified engineers, product safety consultants, and medical professionals to build comprehensive cases. Our team is prepared to litigate your case through trial if necessary, ensuring manufacturers understand we advocate fiercely for our clients’ rights and recovery.
The Fundamentals of Product Liability
Product liability law imposes responsibility on manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for injuries caused by defective or unsafe products. There are three primary bases for product liability claims: defective design, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn. A design defect exists when the product’s design itself is inherently unsafe, even when manufactured correctly. Manufacturing defects occur when something goes wrong during production, creating a dangerous condition not present in the design. Failure to warn happens when a manufacturer doesn’t adequately inform consumers about risks associated with using the product.
To succeed in a product liability claim, you generally must prove that the product was defective, that the defect caused your injury, and that you suffered measurable damages. Unlike other personal injury cases, product liability doesn’t always require proving negligence—liability can be based on strict liability, meaning the company is responsible regardless of how careful they were. This distinction is important because it shifts the focus from the manufacturer’s conduct to the product’s condition. Evidence typically includes the product itself, medical records documenting your injuries, expert testimony about the defect, and documentation showing the manufacturer knew or should have known about the danger.
Key Terms in Product Liability Law
Strict Liability
Design Defect
Manufacturing Defect
Failure to Warn
Comprehensive vs. Limited Approaches to Product Liability
When a Simpler Path May Work:
Clear-Cut Defects with Manufacturer Acknowledgment
Minor Injuries with Clearly Documented Damages
When Full Representation Provides Better Outcomes:
Complex Product Defects Requiring Investigation
Serious Injuries with Substantial Damages
Practice Areas
Top Searched Keywords
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Document Everything Immediately
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Contact an Attorney Before Speaking with Manufacturers
Defective Consumer Electronics and Appliances
Unsafe Automotive Components
Contaminated or Defective Medications and Health Products
Why Choose Law Offices of Greene and Lloyd
Our firm brings decades of experience handling product liability cases for residents throughout Washington state, including Mill Creek East and Snohomish County. We understand manufacturer tactics and how large companies defend against these claims. Our attorneys have successfully negotiated settlements and won trials against major corporations, earning respect from both courts and opposing counsel. We invest the resources necessary to build strong cases, employing investigators, engineers, and medical professionals to support your claim.
We represent injured people, not manufacturers or insurance companies. This means your interests come first in every decision we make. We handle all aspects of your case from investigation through resolution, protecting your rights against aggressive corporate defense strategies. With Law Offices of Greene and Lloyd, you have advocates who understand the complexities of product liability law and are committed to securing the compensation you deserve.
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What must I prove to win a product liability case?
To establish a product liability claim, you must demonstrate that the product was defective, either due to a design flaw, manufacturing problem, or inadequate warnings. You also need to show that the defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control and that this defect directly caused your injury. Medical evidence establishing the connection between the product and your injury is essential. Additionally, you must prove that you suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Under Washington’s strict liability doctrine, you generally don’t need to prove the manufacturer was careless—only that the product was defective and caused your harm. Our attorneys gather comprehensive evidence including the defective product itself, medical records, expert testimony from engineers or safety consultants, and documentation of how the product was used. We investigate whether the manufacturer knew about the defect, failed to warn consumers, or chose to ignore safety concerns. We also examine whether industry standards were violated or if safer alternatives existed. This thorough approach builds a compelling case that demonstrates the manufacturer’s responsibility and the full extent of your damages.
How long do I have to file a product liability claim in Washington?
Washington imposes strict time limits for filing product liability claims, known as statutes of limitations. Generally, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. However, there’s also a statute of repose that may apply, which typically bars claims filed more than ten years after the product was manufactured or sold, regardless of when the injury occurred. These time limits vary depending on the specific circumstances and the type of product involved. Don’t delay in contacting an attorney if you’ve been injured by a defective product. The sooner we begin investigation, the better we can preserve evidence, locate witnesses, and build your case. Waiting too long can result in lost evidence, faded memories, and potential forfeiture of your rights. Our firm can evaluate your situation immediately and ensure we take all necessary steps to protect your claim within the applicable time limits.
Can I still recover if I was partially responsible for my injury?
Washington follows a comparative negligence rule that allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for your injury. However, you cannot recover if you were more than 50% at fault for your injury. For example, if you were using a product incorrectly but the product was so defective that it caused injury regardless of how it was used, you may still have a valid claim. The manufacturer’s responsibility for the defective product may outweigh your partial responsibility for how it was used. We carefully evaluate these situations to determine whether your partial responsibility will affect your recovery. Even if you bear some responsibility, the manufacturer may still be liable if the product defect created an unreasonable danger. Our attorneys will argue for fair allocation of fault and work to minimize any reduction in your damages based on comparative negligence principles.
What damages can I recover in a product liability case?
In successful product liability cases, you can recover economic damages including all past and future medical expenses related to your injury, lost wages from time away from work, and costs for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation. You can also recover property damage if the defective product damaged your belongings. Beyond economic damages, you can recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from your injury. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct by the manufacturer—such as knowingly concealing a dangerous defect—punitive damages may be available to punish the company and deter similar misconduct. Our attorneys carefully document all damages you’ve suffered and build arguments for maximum compensation. We consider both current impacts and long-term consequences of your injury when calculating appropriate damages.
How much does it cost to hire a product liability attorney?
Law Offices of Greene and Lloyd works on contingency fees for product liability cases, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or judgment, typically 33% of the recovery. If we don’t succeed in your case, you owe us nothing for legal fees. This arrangement ensures our interests align with yours—we only profit when you win. You may be responsible for certain costs during the case, such as filing fees and expert witness fees, but we discuss these expenses with you before incurring them. Contingency representation removes the financial barrier to pursuing your claim, allowing injured people to access quality legal representation regardless of their ability to pay upfront. We’re confident enough in our preparation and the strength of product liability claims that we’re willing to invest our time and resources without guaranteed payment. This demonstrates our commitment to our clients and our belief that we can achieve favorable results.
Do I need to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
Unlike other personal injury cases that require proving negligence, product liability cases can succeed under strict liability, meaning you don’t need to prove the manufacturer was careless or negligent. Strict liability holds manufacturers responsible for defective products regardless of how careful they were in manufacturing or design. This is a significant advantage because you only need to prove the product was defective and caused your injury, not that the company failed to exercise reasonable care. However, proving negligence can sometimes strengthen your case by showing the manufacturer knew about the danger and ignored it. We may present evidence that the company cut corners, failed to conduct proper testing, or ignored warnings from engineers and safety consultants. If we can show the manufacturer deliberately concealed a known defect, we may pursue punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Our approach focuses on strict liability as the primary theory while supplementing it with negligence evidence when available.
What is the difference between design defects and manufacturing defects?
Design defects exist when the product’s design itself is inherently unsafe, even when manufactured exactly as intended. This occurs when a better, safer design was feasible but the manufacturer chose a less safe alternative. For example, if a child’s toy is designed in a way that makes it likely to break into sharp pieces, that’s a design defect. Manufacturing defects, by contrast, occur when a product is produced in a way that doesn’t match the intended design. If most products from an assembly line are safe but one unit is improperly assembled or made with substandard materials, that’s a manufacturing defect. The distinction matters because design defects typically require proving that a safer alternative design existed and was feasible. Manufacturing defects are often easier to prove because you only need to show the specific product differs from how it was supposed to be made. Both types can be the basis for successful product liability claims. Our investigation identifies whether your injury resulted from a design defect, manufacturing defect, or both.
Can I sue if the product has a disclaimer or warning label?
Disclaimer labels and warning statements don’t automatically eliminate manufacturer liability for defective products. While adequate warnings can sometimes shield manufacturers from failure-to-warn claims, they cannot protect against liability for design or manufacturing defects. If a product is inherently unsafe due to its design or construction, no disclaimer can make it legally acceptable. Additionally, courts scrutinize whether warnings were truly adequate, clearly visible, and appropriately convey the nature and severity of the danger. Many manufacturer disclaimers are vague, buried in small print, or fail to adequately explain the specific risks. We carefully examine whether warnings were sufficient under Washington law. Even when warnings appear on a product, we investigate whether the manufacturer knew about additional dangers not disclosed, whether the warnings were in accessible language, and whether they appeared in places where consumers would actually see them. A disclaimer alone will not prevent your recovery if the product was defectively designed or manufactured.
How long does a product liability case typically take?
The timeline for a product liability case varies significantly depending on the case’s complexity, the number of parties involved, and whether the matter resolves through negotiation or trial. Simple cases with clear liability and obvious damages might settle within six to twelve months. More complex cases involving significant investigation, multiple expert reports, and corporate defense tactics may take two to three years or longer from initial filing to final resolution. While litigation takes time, experienced representation often leads to faster, more favorable outcomes than trying to handle claims alone. We work efficiently through investigation and negotiation phases while being prepared for trial if necessary. Throughout the process, we keep you informed about the case’s progress and any developments. Most cases settle before trial, though we’re always ready to take cases to court when manufacturers refuse to offer fair compensation.
What should I do immediately after being injured by a defective product?
Immediately after being injured by a defective product, seek medical attention for your injuries even if you think they’re minor. Document everything by taking photographs of the defective product, the injury scene, and your injuries. Preserve the product itself and don’t attempt to repair or alter it, as the original condition is crucial evidence. Keep receipts and documentation showing when you purchased the product and how it was used. Write down details about what happened while they’re fresh in your memory, including the product’s condition, how it failed, and whether you had used it before. Contact an attorney before speaking with the manufacturer, their insurance company, or anyone else about your injury. Statements you make early on can be misconstrued or used against your claim. Don’t sign any agreements or accept settlement offers without legal review. If witnesses saw the incident or your injury, get their contact information. Document all medical treatment, expenses, and any time you miss from work. These initial steps preserve evidence and protect your legal rights, giving your attorney the best foundation for pursuing full compensation.