Billions Recovered Since 1969 | Serving Philadelphia for Over 50 Years | No Fee Unless You Win
When a Product You Trusted Causes Harm in Philadelphia
A product on the shelf is supposed to be safe. When a defective appliance, medical device, auto part, toy, or other consumer product causes an injury, the companies that designed, manufactured, and sold it should be held accountable.
Our Philadelphia product liability lawyers at the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP take on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that put dangerously defective products into the hands of consumers. These cases require a firm that will not be deterred by aggressive corporate legal teams with deep pockets.
Contact us at (800) 624-8888 or through our online contact form for a free consultation.
Visit our Philadelphia office: 1420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Table of contents
- Why Philadelphia Families Choose the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP for Defective Product Injury Claims
- What Is Product Liability and How Does Strict Liability Protect Consumers in Pennsylvania?
- What Types of Product Defects Lead to Injury Lawsuits in Philadelphia?
- What Kinds of Defective Products Cause Injuries in Philadelphia?
- What Compensation Can You Recover in a Philadelphia Product Liability Claim?
- Ask the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP About Defective Product Cases in Philadelphia
- Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability Claims in Pennsylvania
- Injured by a Defective Product in Philadelphia? Call for a Free Consultation
Why Philadelphia Families Choose the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP for Defective Product Injury Claims
Allen L. Rothenberg, Esq., opened the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP in Philadelphia in 1969 with one principle: fight for every client the way you would fight for your own family. His wife, Barbara Rothenberg, Esq., joined him in 1978 and leads the Philadelphia office today. Seven of their children now practice law alongside them.
Product liability cases demand a firm with the resources and determination to go up against well-funded corporate defendants. Our case results prove we have both.
Product Defect Recoveries That Reflect Our Commitment
Our firm has taken on pharmaceutical companies, auto manufacturers, industrial equipment makers, and consumer product distributors. Results from our case results page include:
- $22.1 million for a defective prescription drug case against a major pharmaceutical manufacturer
- $18 million for a traumatic brain injury caused by an auto product defect
- $15 million for wrongful death due to an auto product defect
- $12.2 million for wrongful death caused by an automotive defect
- $10 million in a complex product liability case against a major auto manufacturer
- $2.5 million for an ankle injury caused by a defective forklift
- $2.25 million for leg injuries requiring multiple surgeries from a defective portable basketball unit
- $2 million for a child killed by defective clothing and playground equipment
These results do not guarantee outcomes, but they show what happens when a firm with real trial experience takes on corporate defendants that put profits ahead of consumer safety.
Ready for Trial Against Corporate Defendants
Product liability cases often involve Fortune 500 manufacturers with teams of corporate defense lawyers. We prepare every case for trial. Companies settle for more when they know the personal injury attorney across the table has tried cases in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and will not back down.
Nationally Recognized for Client-Centered Legal Work
- Super Lawyers Selected Attorneys
- Best Lawyers Recognized Attorneys
- AV Preeminent Attorney Rating (Martindale-Hubbell)
- Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- National Trial Lawyers Recognition
- Top 1% of U.S. Lawyers (Litigator Awards)
- Client Champion Awards and Avvo Client's Choice Award
You Pay Nothing Unless We Recover for You
Our contingency fee structure means no up-front costs and no financial risk. We only collect a fee if we win your case.
What Is Product Liability and How Does Strict Liability Protect Consumers in Pennsylvania?
Product liability is the area of law that holds companies responsible when a defective product injures someone. Pennsylvania is one of the strongest states in the country for injured consumers because it follows a legal principle called strict liability.
Strict liability means you do not have to prove that the manufacturer was careless or negligent. You only need to show that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. Pennsylvania treats the manufacturer as the guarantor of a product's safety.
Pennsylvania courts apply two tests to determine whether a product is defective:
- The consumer expectations test: Would an ordinary consumer consider the product unreasonably dangerous based on how it performed?
- The risk-utility test: Do the risks of the product's design outweigh its usefulness?
Your attorney will determine which test provides the strongest basis for your claim. In a 2023 ruling, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reaffirmed that manufacturers cannot use compliance with industry or government safety standards as a defense in strict liability cases. That means a company cannot escape liability just because its product met minimum federal safety requirements.
What Types of Product Defects Lead to Injury Lawsuits in Philadelphia?
Product defects fall into three legal categories. Each one represents a different failure in the chain from design to delivery.
| Defect Type | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing defect | The product was designed correctly but something went wrong during production | A batch of car brake pads made with substandard materials |
| Design defect | The product's design itself is unreasonably dangerous, even when built as intended | A space heater that overheats and catches fire during normal use |
| Failure to warn | The manufacturer did not include adequate warnings or instructions about known risks | A power tool sold without a guard or safety warning for a known amputation risk |
A single product can involve more than one type of defect. Our Philadelphia product liability attorneys evaluate the product, its history, and any prior complaints or recalls to identify every defect that contributed to your injury.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Product Injury in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's strict liability law extends beyond the manufacturer. Every company in the chain that brought a defective product to market may share responsibility for your injuries.
- The manufacturer that designed and produced the product
- Component part manufacturers that supplied a defective part used in the final product
- Distributors and wholesalers that moved the product through the supply chain
- Retailers that sold the product to you, including big-box stores and online marketplaces
- Online platforms like Amazon: Courts have increasingly held Amazon liable as a seller when third-party products sold on its platform cause injuries, particularly when the original manufacturer is based overseas and difficult to sue
Identifying every liable party matters because each one may carry separate insurance coverage. More defendants can mean a larger pool of compensation for your claim. Our product liability lawyers in Philadelphia trace the full supply chain to hold the right parties accountable.
What Kinds of Defective Products Cause Injuries in Philadelphia?
Product liability claims cover a wide range of consumer and commercial products. Some of the most common categories our attorneys handle include:
Defective Medical Devices
Hip implants, surgical mesh, pacemakers, and other devices that malfunction or cause complications after implantation. Patients treated at hospitals like Jefferson, Penn Medicine, or Temple University Hospital may have claims if a device failed.
Defective Auto Parts
Faulty brakes, defective tires, airbags that fail to deploy or deploy without cause, and ignition switch defects. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks auto recalls and defect investigations.
Dangerous Consumer Products
Appliances that overheat or catch fire, children's toys with choking hazards or toxic materials, and household products with hidden dangers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a public database of recalled products.
Lithium Battery and E-Cigarette Explosions
Lithium-ion batteries in phones, laptops, e-scooters, and e-cigarettes have caused severe burns and house fires across Philadelphia. These cases often involve overseas manufacturers that are difficult to reach without experienced legal help.
Defective Power Tools and Industrial Equipment
Construction workers and tradespeople in Philadelphia face serious risks from defective saws, drills, nail guns, and heavy machinery that lack proper guards or safety features.
Each product type involves different manufacturers, different regulatory agencies, and different evidence. Our attorneys match the legal strategy to the specific product that caused your injury.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Philadelphia Product Liability Claim?
A successful product liability claim in Pennsylvania can recover compensation for the full scope of harm a defective product caused.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical bills, surgery, and hospitalization | Physical pain and suffering |
| Rehabilitation and physical therapy | Emotional distress and anxiety |
| Lost wages and missed work | Loss of enjoyment of daily life |
| Future medical care and long-term treatment | Scarring, disfigurement, or disability |
| Property damage caused by the product | Strain on family relationships |
Pennsylvania does not cap compensatory damages in product liability cases. Punitive damages may also be available when a manufacturer knew of a defect and chose to continue selling the product. These damages are intended to punish reckless corporate behavior and send a message to the industry.
How Long Do You Have to File a Product Liability Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a product liability lawsuit. If the injury was not immediately apparent, the clock may start on the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the harm. This is called the discovery rule.
These deadlines make taking early legal action critical. The sooner your attorney reviews the facts, the more time there is to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
How Our Philadelphia Product Liability Lawyers Build Your Defective Product Case
Product liability claims require specialized evidence that goes far beyond a standard injury case. Your attorney needs to trace the defect back to its source and prove that it caused your injury.
- Product testing and analysis: Independent engineers and product safety consultants examine the defective product to identify the specific flaw
- Recall and complaint history: CPSC recall records, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medical device reports, and NHTSA defect investigations can show the manufacturer already knew about the problem
- Corporate documents: Internal emails, design records, testing data, and cost-benefit analyses can reveal that a company prioritized profits over consumer safety
- Medical records: Treatment records from your doctors link the defective product directly to your injuries
- Expert testimony: Engineers, medical professionals, and industry consultants provide the technical foundation your case needs at trial
In product liability cases, where the evidence is technical and the defendants are well-funded corporations, having experienced legal representation is critical to the outcome of your case.
Contact us at (800) 624-8888 or through our online contact form for a free consultation.
Visit our Philadelphia office: 1420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Ask the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP About Defective Product Cases in Philadelphia
Q: Can I sue a manufacturer even if I was partly at fault?
A: Yes, Pennsylvania's modified comparative fault rule allows you to recover compensation as long as your share of fault stays below 51%. Your total award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Manufacturers often try to blame the consumer, and your attorney pushes back on that tactic with evidence.
Q: Can I file a product liability claim if the product was recalled after my injury?
A: Yes, a recall can actually strengthen your case. A recall means the manufacturer or a federal agency confirmed the product was dangerous. Your attorney can use the recall, along with any prior complaints and internal company records, to support your claim.
Q: Does it matter where I bought the defective product?
A: No. Whether you purchased the product at a Philadelphia store, online through Amazon, or from a third-party seller, you may have a claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. Pennsylvania's strict liability law covers the entire supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability Claims in Pennsylvania
What is the difference between a product liability claim and a regular negligence claim?
In a negligence claim, you must prove the defendant was careless. In a strict liability product claim, you only need to show the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. You do not need to prove the manufacturer made a mistake. Pennsylvania's strict liability standard makes it easier for injured consumers to hold companies accountable.
Can I file a product liability claim if a family member died from a defective product?
Yes, Pennsylvania law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death action and a survival action. A wrongful death claim covers the family's losses, including funeral costs and lost financial support. A survival action recovers compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before passing.
What if the manufacturer of the defective product is based overseas?
Many defective products sold in Philadelphia are manufactured in other countries. Your attorney can pursue claims against the U.S. distributor, the retailer, or the online marketplace that sold the product. Pennsylvania's strict liability law applies to every company in the supply chain, not just the original manufacturer.
How much does it cost to hire a Philadelphia product liability lawyer?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and nothing out of pocket. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.
Injured by a Defective Product in Philadelphia? Call for a Free Consultation
The company that made the product that injured you has lawyers working to protect its bottom line. Our lawyers at the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP have spent over 50 years in Philadelphia taking on powerful defendants and winning. We are ready to do the same for you.
Contact us at (800) 624-8888 or through our contact form for a free consultation.
Visit our Philadelphia office: 1420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
The Rothenberg Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers - Philadelphia Office
1420 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Ph: (215) 330-6551