Product Liability Lawyer in Van Nuys | The Law Offices of Tommy M. Troncoso

Injury Cases Have Strict Deadlines

California injury claims are governed by strict legal deadlines. Important evidence can also be lost if a case is not investigated early.

Insurance companies often continue “investigating” or “negotiating” while deadlines are quietly approaching. Once a legal deadline passes, your case may become worthless — even if the insurance company was still communicating with you when the deadline passed.

Part of my job is making sure deadlines are identified, evidence is preserved, and your rights are protected from the start — so you’re not pressured into a decision before you understand your options.

If you’re unsure what time limits apply to your situation, a free, no-pressure consultation can help clarify your options.

Product Liability Cases We Handle

Here are some common product-related injury cases I handle.

Dangerous Tools and Equipment

Power tools, ladders, saws, and other equipment that is defective, malfunctions, or lacks adequate safety features or warnings.

Unsafe Household Products

Appliances, furniture, and consumer products that cause burns, cuts, electrocution, tip-over injuries, or other preventable harm.

Defective Consumer Products

Everyday consumer products that fail, overheat, break, or lack proper safety features or warnings, causing preventable injuries.

Dangerous Industrial or Workplace Products

Products sold for work or home use that fail, lack adequate safety features, or expose users to unreasonable risks.

Children’s Products

Cribs, strollers, toys, and other products that create choking hazards, tip-over hazards, pinch points, or other safety risks.

Failure to Warn / Inadequate Instructions

Cases where a product’s risks were not properly disclosed or the instructions did not provide adequate warnings for safe use.

What to Do After an Injury Caused by a Defective Product

Here are some steps that can help protect your health and your claim.

Get medical care

If you feel pain or symptoms, get evaluated. Some injuries — especially head, neck, and back injuries — do not appear immediately.
Preserve the product

If possible, set the product aside in a safe place and avoid repairing, altering, or disassembling it. I understand that many people discard a defective product out of concern for safety or to prevent further injuries — but manufacturers and their insurance companies often try to use the absence of the product as a reason to deny an otherwise valid claim.
Photograph the product and the scene

Take photos and/or video of the product and the scene, any warning labels or instructions, the surrounding area where the incident occurred, and any damage caused by the defect. In some cases, the condition of the scene helps show how the product was being used and whether the injury was foreseeable.
Keep packaging and documents

If you still have them, keep the packaging, manuals, receipts, purchase confirmations, and any warranty paperwork. Many people understandably discard these items after purchase, but companies often try to use their absence to wrongfully deny responsibility.
Be careful with statements

The manufacturer, retailer, or insurance company may ask questions or request a statement. Avoid recorded statements and do not sign documents until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
Talk with an attorney

A free, no-pressure consultation can help you understand your rights, protect evidence, and avoid common mistakes.

Important Warning: Do Not Sign Anything

Insurance companies and product manufacturers sometimes contact injured people very quickly — sometimes the same day or within days of an injury — and ask them to sign paperwork. This is often an attempt to settle the case for far less than it is worth before you understand the full extent of your injuries or have a chance to speak with a lawyer.

Once you sign a release or settlement agreement, your case is usually over — even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. Do not sign any documents related to an injury claim until you’ve spoken with an attorney who can explain what you’re giving up.

A Quick Note About Calls With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters protect the insurance company — not you. If you’re asked for a recorded statement, it’s almost always better to speak to an attorney first so you better understand your rights.

Preserving the Product Can Be Critical

In product liability cases, the product itself is often important evidence. I understand that people frequently throw away a defective product to protect themselves or loved ones from further harm. Unfortunately, manufacturers and their insurance companies often try to exploit that reality to deny responsibility — even when a product clearly caused injury. If you still have the product, keep it in a safe place and do not modify it, but if you no longer have it, that does not automatically mean you do not have a case.

Product Liability Q&A

Clear answers to common questions after an injury caused by a defective or dangerous product.

I want an attorney, but I don’t have money for one. What can I do?

I work on a contingency fee. That means you never pay anything upfront — including fees or costs — and you do not owe attorney’s fees unless money is recovered in your case. If there is no recovery, you do not owe me a fee.

What does “product liability” mean?

Product liability refers to legal claims arising from injuries caused by defective or unreasonably dangerous products. These cases often involve problems with a product’s design, how it was manufactured, or warnings and instructions that should have been provided to help prevent injury.

Do I need the receipt or original packaging?

Not always. But receipts, packaging, manuals, and purchase confirmations can help identify the product, where it was purchased, and when it entered the stream of commerce. If you have them, keep them — and if you don’t, there may be other ways to identify the product and prove the claim.

What if the company claims I used the product the wrong way?

This is a common defense. The facts matter — including the instructions and warnings provided, whether the use was foreseeable, and whether the product was unreasonably dangerous even when used as intended. A consultation can help you understand how these issues apply to your situation.

What damages can I recover in a product liability case?

Damages may include medical expenses, lost income, compensation for pain and suffering, and the impact the injuries have on your life. The specific damages available depend on the facts of your case.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, can I make a personal injury claim?

Yes. Undocumented immigrants can pursue personal injury claims. Immigration status is not a defense to negligence, and the parties in the case generally cannot use the lawsuit as a way to inquire into immigration status.

What if I cannot travel to your Van Nuys office to sign up?

That’s not a problem. Most clients sign up remotely. We can review your situation by phone or video, and documents can be sent for electronic signature so you can retain our office without traveling.

Product Liability Cases

Do I Have a Case?

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