Every year, thousands of consumers are injured by products they assumed were safe—from household appliances and electronics to recreational gear and vehicles. If you live in Tennessee or California and have been harmed by a faulty product, knowing your rights can make all the difference. Laws vary between states, but both offer legal options for pursuing compensation.
What Counts as a Defective Product?
A product may be considered defective if it has:
- A flawed design that makes it inherently dangerous
- A manufacturing error that caused a one-time issue
- Inadequate warnings or instructions for safe use
Examples include lithium battery fires, faulty child safety gear, unstable furniture, or malfunctioning machinery. Whether you're in Nashville, Brentwood, or Los Angeles, defective product cases often come down to proving the product was unreasonably dangerous and directly caused your injury.
Tennessee vs. California: Different Paths, Same Goal
Both states allow product liability claims, but the rules aren’t identical.
In Tennessee, strict liability law means manufacturers can be held responsible even if they weren’t negligent—if their product caused harm, they may still be liable. The statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of injury, which means victims must act quickly.
In California, strict liability also applies, and the courts have a long history of supporting consumer rights in product lawsuits. The timeline is typically two years, giving California residents slightly more flexibility to file a claim.
In both states, plaintiffs can sue for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages.
What to Do After a Product Injury
If you’ve been injured by a consumer product:
- Seek medical attention right away
- Save the product and all packaging or documentation
- Take photos of injuries, damage, or defect
- Avoid returning the product or speaking with the manufacturer’s insurance without legal advice
- Speak with a product liability attorney as soon as possible
Time matters, and so does preserving evidence.
Why These Cases Are Complex
Product lawsuits often involve large manufacturers with aggressive legal teams. Proving a defect requires expert testimony, engineering analysis, and a legal team that knows how to manage the process from start to finish. If multiple people were injured by the same product, your case might be part of a mass tort or class action.
Our firm has experience with both individual and multi-state defective product litigation, including past matters involving bicycles, batteries, and more. Whether you’re in Tennessee or California, we know how to handle high-stakes cases with professionalism and precision.
We’ll Tell You the Truth About Your Case
We don’t chase weak claims or promise quick paydays. If we take your product injury case, it’s because we believe in it—and we’ll tell you up front what’s realistic.
If you’ve been injured by a dangerous or defective product in Tennessee or California, contact us for an honest assessment. We’re ready to help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
