New York's Strict Products Liability Law
New York recognizes strict products liability, meaning an injured person generally does not have to prove the manufacturer was negligent — only that the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury while the product was being used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable way. Liability can extend through the entire chain of distribution: the manufacturer, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. This makes recovery possible even when proving negligence would be impossible, but identifying the defect and the right defendants takes legal and technical skill.
Three Types of Product Defects
New York recognizes three categories. A manufacturing defect occurs when a product departs from its intended design (a single flawed unit). A design defect exists when the product's design itself is unreasonably dangerous and a safer alternative was feasible. A failure-to-warn (marketing) defect arises when a manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions about a non-obvious danger. Each theory requires different proof, and we plead every category that fits your case.
Injured in New York? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your case review is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
Common Product Liability Cases
Defective auto parts (airbags, tires, brakes, seatbelts), dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices, unsafe children's products and toys, defective appliances and power tools, contaminated food, and industrial equipment failures. Many involve nationwide patterns of harm, and we coordinate the expert engineering and medical proof these cases require to establish the defect and causation.
Compensation in Product Cases
You may recover medical expenses and future care, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and, where a manufacturer knew of a danger and sold the product anyway, punitive damages. Product cases often involve well-resourced corporate defendants, so building a case backed by credible expert proof is essential — and it is what we do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally no. Under New York's strict products liability law, you must show the product was defective and the defect caused your injury during normal or foreseeable use — not that the manufacturer was negligent.
Potentially everyone in the chain of distribution — the manufacturer, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. We identify every liable party to maximize the available coverage for your injuries.
Manufacturing defects (a flawed unit), design defects (an unreasonably dangerous design with a safer feasible alternative), and failure-to-warn defects (inadequate warnings about non-obvious dangers). We pursue each theory that applies.
Ready to talk to a New York attorney? Call 973-566-5599 any time, or request your free case review online. A legal specialist will reach out within the hour.