Products liability is the area of law governing the responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for injuries caused by defective products. California recognizes claims based on manufacturing defects, design defects, and failure to warn, and applies a strict liability standard in many product defect cases.

A manufacturing defect occurs when a product departs from its intended design due to an error in production, making that particular unit dangerous. A design defect exists when the product's design itself is unreasonably dangerous, affecting the entire product line even when manufactured exactly as intended.

Under California's strict products liability doctrine, an injured party generally does not need to prove the manufacturer was negligent — only that the product had a defect that caused the injury while being used in a reasonably foreseeable way. This makes recovery possible without proving carelessness in the manufacturing process.

A failure-to-warn claim arises when a product carries non-obvious risks that the manufacturer knew or should have known about, and failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions. Even a well-designed and well-manufactured product can give rise to liability if the necessary warnings were inadequate.

Liability can extend along the entire chain of distribution — including the manufacturer of the product, the manufacturer of a component part, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. California allows injured parties to pursue claims against multiple parties in the distribution chain.

Common defenses include arguing that the product was not defective, that the injury resulted from misuse or unforeseeable use, that the product was altered after leaving the defendant's control, that the claimant assumed a known risk, or that the statute of limitations has expired.

Products liability claims involving personal injury generally must be filed within two years of the injury, while claims for property damage typically have a longer period. The exact deadline depends on the legal theory and the nature of the harm, so prompt legal consultation is important.

Businesses should consult an attorney when developing a new product, when a defect or safety concern is identified, when a claim or lawsuit is threatened or filed, or when reviewing supplier and distribution agreements. Early legal involvement helps manage risk and structure appropriate indemnification and insurance protections.