Arizona Product Liability Lawyer
Every day, Arizona consumers purchase and use thousands of products—from medications and medical devices to vehicles, children’s products, and household items. We trust that manufacturers design, test, and produce products that are safe for their intended use. Unfortunately, defective and dangerous products injure thousands of people each year in Arizona. When products fail and cause injuries, the consequences can be devastating—catastrophic injuries, permanent disability, or even death.
If you’ve been injured by a defective product in Arizona, you have legal rights. Under Arizona’s product liability laws, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held strictly liable when their products cause harm—meaning you don’t have to prove they were negligent, only that the product was defective and caused your injuries. However, pursuing these claims against large corporations with teams of lawyers requires experienced legal representation.
At Eddington Law, our Arizona product liability attorneys have spent decades fighting for consumers injured by dangerous products. We have the knowledge, resources, and determination to take on powerful corporations and hold them accountable for the harm their defective products cause. With our Phoenix office conveniently located and our commitment to aggressive advocacy, we’re here to fight for your rights and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Understanding Product Liability Law in Arizona
Product liability law protects consumers by holding companies accountable when defective products cause injuries. Arizona’s product liability laws are designed to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and sellers bear responsibility for dangerous products.
Strict Liability Standard
Arizona follows a “strict liability” standard for product defects. This means that to win your case, you don’t have to prove the manufacturer was negligent or knew about the defect. You only need to prove:
- The product was defective
- The defect existed when it left the manufacturer’s control
- The defect caused your injuries
- You were using the product as intended (or in a reasonably foreseeable way)
This strict liability standard recognizes that consumers can’t possibly know about manufacturing processes or design decisions, and that manufacturers are in the best position to prevent defects.
Types of Product Defects
Arizona law recognizes three main types of product defects:
Design Defects: The product’s design is inherently dangerous or unsafe. Even if manufactured perfectly according to specifications, the design itself creates unreasonable risks. For example, a vehicle that’s prone to rollover due to its design, or a child’s toy with small parts that pose choking hazards.
Manufacturing Defects: Errors occur during manufacturing, causing individual products to deviate from the intended design. For example, a batch of medication contaminated during production, or a vehicle with improperly installed brakes.
Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn): The product lacks adequate warnings or instructions about potential dangers. Companies have a duty to warn consumers about non-obvious risks. For example, a pharmaceutical company that fails to warn about serious side effects, or a power tool without adequate safety warnings.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Arizona law allows injured consumers to pursue claims against anyone in the chain of distribution:
- Manufacturers: The companies that designed and made the product
- Component manufacturers: Companies that made defective parts or components
- Distributors: Wholesalers and distributors who supplied the product
- Retailers: Stores that sold the defective product to consumers
You can pursue claims against all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery.
Common Types of Defective Products in Arizona
Product liability cases involve virtually every type of consumer product. Common categories include:
Defective Pharmaceuticals and Drugs
Dangerous medications cause serious injuries when pharmaceutical companies:
- Fail to adequately test drugs before releasing them
- Fail to warn about serious side effects
- Continue marketing drugs after learning of dangers
- Improperly manufacture medications causing contamination
Common examples include drugs that cause heart attacks, strokes, birth defects, organ damage, or other serious complications.
Defective Medical Devices
Medical device failures can be catastrophic:
- Hip and knee implants that fail prematurely
- Hernia mesh that erodes and causes injuries
- Pacemakers and defibrillators with defective components
- Surgical instruments that break during procedures
- Defective IVC filters
- Transvaginal mesh
- Metal-on-metal hip replacements
Defective Vehicles and Auto Parts
Vehicle defects cause thousands of accidents and injuries:
- Defective airbags (including Takata airbag recalls)
- Brake system failures
- Tire defects and blowouts
- Steering system failures
- Accelerator problems
- Fuel system defects causing fires
- Rollover-prone designs
- Defective seat belts
Defective Children’s Products
Products marketed to children must meet strict safety standards. Defective children’s products include:
- Toys with choking hazards
- Defective cribs and bassinets
- Unsafe car seats
- Products with toxic substances
- Baby products with suffocation risks
- Strollers with entrapment hazards
Defective Consumer Products
Everyday products can cause serious injuries:
- Defective appliances causing fires or electrocutions
- Power tools without adequate guards or warnings
- Defective furniture (tipping hazards)
- Defective electronics and batteries (fires, explosions)
- Defective sporting equipment
- Defective ladders
- Dangerous cosmetics and personal care products
Defective Industrial and Commercial Products
Workplace products and equipment:
- Defective machinery and industrial equipment
- Dangerous chemicals without proper warnings
- Defective construction equipment
- Defective protective equipment
Defective Food Products
Contaminated or dangerous food products:
- Food contaminated with bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria)
- Foreign objects in food
- Undisclosed allergens
- Improperly processed or preserved foods
Defective Agricultural Products
In Arizona’s agricultural areas:
- Defective farm equipment
- Dangerous pesticides and herbicides
- Defective irrigation equipment
No matter what type of defective product caused your injuries, we have the experience to handle your case.
Common Injuries from Defective Products
Defective products can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic:
Traumatic Injuries
- Severe burns from defective appliances or electronics
- Lacerations from defective tools or machinery
- Crush injuries from defective equipment
- Amputations from defective machinery
- Eye injuries from defective products
Internal Injuries
- Organ damage from defective medical devices
- Internal bleeding from defective pharmaceuticals
- Toxic exposure from dangerous chemicals
- Poisoning from contaminated products
Orthopedic Injuries
- Bone fractures from defective products
- Joint damage from defective medical implants
- Soft tissue injuries
Neurological Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Seizures from defective drugs
- Cognitive impairment
Cardiovascular Injuries
- Heart attacks from dangerous pharmaceuticals
- Strokes from defective medical devices
- Blood clots from defective implants
Long-Term Health Consequences
- Cancer from toxic exposure
- Chronic pain from defective implants
- Permanent disability
- Organ failure
- Fertility problems
- Birth defects
Wrongful Death
Tragically, some defective products cause fatal injuries. Families may be entitled to wrongful death compensation when a loved one dies due to a dangerous product.
The severity of injuries often determines the value of your claim. Catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, long-term care, or resulting in permanent disability warrant substantial compensation.
Proving Your Arizona Product Liability Case
While strict liability makes these cases easier than negligence claims, you still must prove key elements:
The Product Was Defective
You must show that the product had a design defect, manufacturing defect, or marketing defect that made it unreasonably dangerous.
Evidence includes:
- The defective product itself (preserve it!)
- Expert testimony from engineers, designers, or industry experts
- Similar complaints or injuries from the same product
- Recall notices or warnings issued after your injury
- Testing results
- Design documents and manufacturing records
The Defect Caused Your Injuries
You must prove a direct link between the product defect and your injuries.
Evidence includes:
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Expert medical testimony
- Testimony about how you were injured
- Photos of your injuries
- Accident reports
The Defect Existed When the Product Left the Manufacturer
You must show the product was defective when it left the manufacturer’s control, not damaged or modified afterward.
Evidence includes:
- Purchase receipts showing when you bought it
- Testimony that you didn’t modify the product
- Evidence the product was properly maintained
- Expert analysis of the defect
You Were Using the Product as Intended or Reasonably Foreseeable
You must show you were using the product for its intended purpose or in a way the manufacturer could reasonably foresee.
Defense against misuse arguments: Even if you weren’t using the product exactly as the manufacturer intended, if your use was reasonably foreseeable, you may still recover damages.
Building a strong product liability case requires extensive investigation, expert testimony, and often litigation against well-funded corporate defendants. Our experienced attorneys know how to gather compelling evidence and present persuasive cases.
Compensation Available in Arizona Product Liability Cases
Victims injured by defective products in Arizona may be entitled to substantial compensation:
Economic Damages
Medical Expenses: All past and future costs of medical treatment, including:
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Surgery and procedures
- Medication and medical devices
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Ongoing medical care and monitoring
- Home healthcare
- Assistive devices
- Future medical needs for permanent injuries
Lost Income: All wages, salary, bonuses, and benefits lost due to missing work during recovery.
Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or reduce your future earning ability, you can recover compensation for this diminished potential.
Property Damage: Damage to other property caused by the defective product (such as fire damage from a defective appliance).
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: All accident-related costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and ongoing symptoms from your injuries.
Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and psychological trauma.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the injury.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation to spouses for loss of companionship and intimacy.
Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent physical changes affecting your appearance.
Arizona does not cap non-economic damages in product liability cases, allowing full compensation for your suffering.
Punitive Damages
When manufacturers knew about defects and continued selling dangerous products anyway, Arizona courts may award punitive damages to punish the company and deter similar conduct. These damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages and can be substantial.
Punitive damages are more common in product liability cases than other personal injury claims because manufacturers often have knowledge of defects but choose profits over safety.
The value of your case depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, the egregiousness of the manufacturer’s conduct, the strength of evidence, and available resources for compensation. We thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue maximum compensation.
Common Defenses in Product Liability Cases
Manufacturers and their insurers use various defenses to avoid liability. Understanding and countering these defenses is crucial:
Product Misuse
Defense: The company claims you misused the product in an unforeseeable way.
Our Response: We show your use was reasonable and foreseeable, or that the company should have included warnings about such use.
Assumption of Risk
Defense: The company claims you knew about the danger and chose to use the product anyway.
Our Response: We demonstrate you didn’t have actual knowledge of the specific danger, or that the company failed to adequately warn you.
Comparative Fault
Defense: The company claims you were partially responsible for your injuries.
Our Response: Under Arizona’s comparative negligence rules, even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages reduced by your fault percentage. We work to minimize any assigned fault.
Product Alteration or Modification
Defense: The company claims the product was altered or modified after leaving their control.
Our Response: We prove the product wasn’t altered, or that the defect existed before any modifications.
Statute of Repose
Defense: The company claims too much time has passed since the product was sold.
Our Response: Arizona has a 12-year statute of repose for product liability claims, but exceptions exist for concealed defects or continuing harm.
Compliance with Regulations
Defense: The company claims they complied with all government regulations.
Our Response: Regulatory compliance doesn’t shield companies from liability—regulations set minimum standards, not safe harbors.
State of the Art Defense
Defense: The company claims the product met the best available technology and knowledge at the time.
Our Response: This defense has limited application in Arizona, and we challenge it by showing reasonable alternative designs existed.
Our experienced attorneys know how to anticipate and counter these defenses to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Why Product Liability Cases Require Experienced Legal Representation
Product liability cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. Here’s why you need experienced legal representation:
Taking On Corporate Giants
You’re not just fighting an individual driver or property owner—you’re taking on large corporations with vast resources, teams of lawyers, and powerful legal defenses. You need an attorney with the resources and determination to fight toe-to-toe with these corporate defendants.
Extensive Investigation Required
Product liability cases require:
- Preserving the defective product as evidence
- Obtaining design documents and manufacturing records
- Researching similar complaints and injuries
- Consulting with engineers, designers, and industry experts
- Testing and analyzing the product
- Reviewing regulatory compliance and recall history
Expert Testimony Essential
These cases almost always require expert witnesses to:
- Explain how the product was defective
- Testify about alternative safer designs
- Link the defect to your injuries
- Calculate damages and future needs
Complex Legal Issues
Product liability law involves sophisticated legal questions about:
- Applicable statutes and case law
- Expert testimony admissibility
- Complex causation issues
- Multi-state jurisdiction (when manufacturers are outside Arizona)
- Class action considerations
Substantial Stakes
Product liability cases often involve:
- Multiple victims with similar injuries
- Potential recalls affecting thousands of consumers
- Substantial compensatory and punitive damages
- Nationwide implications
Companies fight these cases aggressively because of the high stakes involved. You need an attorney who won’t be intimidated.
Mass Tort and Class Action Considerations
Many defective products injure multiple victims. Your attorney should understand:
- Whether your case should be consolidated with others
- Multi-district litigation (MDL) procedures
- Class action certification issues
- How to protect your individual interests
We have the experience, resources, and determination to handle even the most complex product liability cases.
What to Do If You're Injured by a Defective Product in Arizona
If you’ve been injured by a defective product, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health comes first. Get medical treatment right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Some product-related injuries have delayed symptoms or worsen over time.
Preserve the Product
This is critical. Save the defective product exactly as it was when it caused your injury. Don’t:
- Throw it away
- Repair it
- Return it to the store
- Let anyone else handle it
The product itself is often the most important evidence in your case.
Save All Packaging and Documentation
Keep:
- Product packaging and labels
- Instruction manuals and warnings
- Purchase receipts
- Warranty information
- Serial numbers or model numbers
Document Your Injuries
- Take photos of your injuries
- Keep detailed medical records
- Document how the injury impacts your daily life
- Keep a journal of pain levels and symptoms
Document the Accident Scene
If possible:
- Take photos of where the incident occurred
- Photograph the product and any damage it caused
- Write down exactly what happened while it’s fresh in your memory
- Get contact information from any witnesses
Report the Incident
- Report to the store where you bought it (keep records)
- File a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) if appropriate
- Contact your insurance company if relevant
Don’t Give Statements to Manufacturers
Companies may contact you asking for statements or offering settlements. Don’t:
- Give recorded statements without an attorney present
- Accept any settlement offers before consulting a lawyer
- Sign any releases or waivers
Research the Product
Look for:
- Recall notices
- Similar complaints from other consumers
- News articles about the product
- Lawsuits involving the same product
This information can help your attorney build a stronger case.
Contact an Arizona Product Liability Attorney Immediately
Time is critical in product liability cases. Evidence can disappear, companies may destroy records, and strict deadlines apply. The sooner you have legal representation, the better we can protect your rights.
Why Choose Eddington Law for Your Arizona Product Liability Case
Product liability cases require specialized expertise and substantial resources. Here’s why Arizona consumers trust us:
Decades of Experience
We’ve spent decades representing consumers injured by defective products. We know the law, we understand how to investigate these complex cases, and we have a proven track record of results.
Resources to Take On Corporations
We have the financial resources, professional network, and litigation capabilities to take on large manufacturers and corporations. We’re not intimidated by corporate legal teams.
Network of Experts
We work with leading engineers, designers, medical experts, economists, and industry specialists who provide the expert testimony necessary to win these cases.
Thorough Investigation
We conduct comprehensive investigations to build the strongest possible case:
- Analyzing the defective product
- Obtaining company documents through discovery
- Researching similar incidents
- Consulting with experts
- Gathering all available evidence
Aggressive Advocacy
We fight relentlessly for every dollar you deserve. Manufacturers know we’re willing to take cases to trial, which often motivates favorable settlements.
No Upfront Costs
We handle product liability cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation. This means quality legal representation is accessible regardless of your financial situation.
Phoenix Office Convenience
Our Phoenix office is conveniently located to serve injured consumers throughout Arizona.
Personalized Service
You’re not just a case number. We provide personal attention and keep you informed throughout the process.
Trial Experience
We have extensive trial experience and the skills to effectively present complex product liability cases to juries when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Product Liability Claims
How long do I have to file a product liability claim in Arizona?
Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Arizona also has a 12-year statute of repose from the product’s sale, with some exceptions. Don’t wait—contact us immediately to protect your rights.
Do I have to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
No. Arizona follows strict liability for product defects, meaning you only need to prove the product was defective and caused your injuries—not that the manufacturer was negligent.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
You can afford us. We work on contingency—no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. Your consultation is completely free.
Can I sue if I didn’t buy the product directly from the manufacturer?
Yes. You can sue anyone in the chain of distribution, including the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer.
What if the product has been recalled?
A recall can strengthen your case by showing the manufacturer knew about the defect. However, you don’t need a recall to have a valid claim.
What if I threw away the defective product?
This makes the case more difficult but not impossible. Contact us immediately—we may be able to obtain similar products or use other evidence to prove the defect.
Can I sue if the product had a warning label?
Possibly. If the warning was inadequate, incomplete, or didn’t address the specific danger that injured you, you may still have a claim.
What if I was partially at fault for my injury?
Under Arizona’s comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault.
How much is my product liability case worth?
Value depends on your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, the manufacturer’s conduct, and other factors. We’ll provide an honest evaluation during your free consultation.
How long will my case take?
Product liability cases can take longer than typical personal injury claims due to their complexity. Some settle within a year, while complex cases may take several years. We work as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation.
Contact an Arizona Product Liability Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured by a defective product anywhere in Arizona, don’t try to take on large corporations alone. You need experienced legal representation with the knowledge, resources, and determination to hold manufacturers accountable.
At Eddington Law, we’ve spent decades fighting for consumers injured by dangerous products. We know Arizona’s product liability laws, we understand how to build compelling cases against corporate defendants, and we have the proven track record to get results. With our Phoenix office conveniently located, we’re here to fight for your rights.
Time is critical. The defective product must be preserved, evidence can disappear, and strict deadlines apply. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights and build a strong case.
Your consultation is completely free and confidential. We’ll listen to your story, review the facts, explain your legal options, and give you an honest assessment of your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Don’t wait another day. Contact Eddington Law today:
- Call our Phoenix office for immediate assistance
- Visit eddington.law to learn more about our firm
- Stop by our Phoenix office for a face-to-face consultation
We serve product liability victims throughout Arizona, including:
- Phoenix
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Glendale
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- Surprise
- Tucson
- Flagstaff
- And all surrounding communities
You’ve been injured by a defective product. Let us hold the manufacturer accountable.
No fees unless we win. Call today.
We’re ready to fight for you, take on powerful corporations, and pursue the justice and maximum compensation you deserve.