Product Liability Lawyer Buffalo, NY

Were you hurt by a product that was supposed to be safe?

Plaintiff-focused attorneys holding manufacturers accountable for dangerous products across Buffalo, NY.

People trust that the products they buy, from auto parts and appliances to medications and children’s gear, have been designed and built to be safe. When a defect turns an everyday item into a hazard, the injuries can be severe and the company responsible often has a well-funded defense team ready to minimize what it pays. A product liability lawyer in Buffalo, NY at Jacobson Injury Firm investigates what went wrong, works with the right experts, identifies everyone in the chain of distribution, and pursues the full compensation injured people deserve. Attorney Adam Jacobson, licensed in New York, prepares each claim as though it will be decided by a jury. Contact us for a free consultation to learn what your case may be worth.

Product Liability Lawyer Buffalo, NY

A product liability claim arises when a defective or unreasonably dangerous product injures someone during normal or foreseeable use. New York recognizes strict products liability, which means that in most cases an injured person does not have to prove the manufacturer was careless, only that the product was defective, that the defect made it unreasonably dangerous, and that it caused real harm. Liability can extend across the entire chain of distribution, from the manufacturer of a component part to the distributor to the retailer that put the item on the shelf. Buffalo’s role as a major distribution hub on the I-90 corridor and Peace Bridge trade route means that defective products move through Erie County in significant volume. Matters that proceed to litigation are heard in Erie County Supreme Court, part of New York’s 8th Judicial District.

The Three Types of Product Defects

New York product liability law recognizes three categories of defect, and the type shapes how the case is built and what evidence matters most:

• Design defects. The product is dangerous because of how it was conceived and designed from the outset, meaning every unit produced carries the same flaw even when manufactured exactly to specification.
• Manufacturing defects. The design is sound, but something went wrong during production, making a particular unit or batch dangerous in a way the designer did not intend.
• Failure to warn. Also called a marketing defect, this arises when a product lacks adequate instructions or warnings about a non-obvious risk that a reasonable consumer would not anticipate.

Common Product Liability Cases We Handle in Buffalo

Dangerous products appear in nearly every corner of daily life. Our firm handles claims involving defective auto parts, including faulty airbags, tires, and braking systems that can turn a routine drive on I-90 or I-190 into a serious Buffalo car accident, defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals available through Buffalo’s extensive medical system; unsafe household appliances and power tools; and dangerous children’s products and recreational equipment. Defective products such as lithium-ion batteries and flammable consumer goods can also cause Buffalo burn injury claims. When a defect causes a Buffalo catastrophic injury or a Buffalo wrongful death, the compensation required must reflect that full, lasting impact.

New York’s Statute of Limitations for Product Claims

New York’s timing rules for product liability claims include an important feature that protects injured people. Most product liability claims must be brought within three years of the date of injury under CPLR § 214. For claims involving exposure to substances that cause latent or delayed injuries, such as toxic chemicals, industrial materials, or harmful substances encountered in Buffalo’s manufacturing and port environments, New York applies a discovery rule under CPLR § 214-c. That rule starts the three-year clock from when the injury was or reasonably should have been discovered, not from the date of the exposure itself. Critically, unlike some other states, New York does not apply a broad product statute of repose that cuts off claims based solely on how old the product is. The deadline runs from when you were injured, regardless of the product’s age, which preserves claims that would otherwise be barred elsewhere.

Why Choose Jacobson Injury Firm as Your Product Liability Lawyer in Buffalo, NY?

A Scientific Background That Matters

Product cases often turn on technical and scientific evidence, how the product was designed, what material or process failed, and how the injury actually occurred. Adam Jacobson’s background fits that demand directly. Along with his law degree from Florida International University College of Law and bar admissions in New York, Florida, Connecticut, and Illinois, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with a minor in Immunology. That scientific foundation helps him work through complex product and medical evidence, understand engineering and materials issues, and challenge a defense expert effectively.

Direct Attorney Access and Real Recoveries

Unlike high-volume firms that pass clients between paralegals, Adam personally handles every case from the first phone call to final resolution. He has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and prepares every Buffalo case for the Erie County courts.

No Fee Unless We Win

Product liability cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so there is no retainer and no hourly billing, and a fee is owed only if we recover for you. This lets injured people take on large manufacturers without financial risk at the outset. For the full range of matters we handle, see our Buffalo personal injury lawyer overview.

Understanding Damages and Fault Under New York Law

Once a defect and causation are established, compensation is meant to restore what the injury took from you. Recoverable damages may include medical expenses from emergency care through rehabilitation and future treatment, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket costs. New York’s pure comparative fault rule under CPLR § 1411 means that even a partially at-fault plaintiff can recover, with damages reduced proportionally. There is no recovery bar in New York. A manufacturer will often argue that the injured person misused the product or ignored a warning, and clear evidence of normal intended use is the best protection against that argument. The defendant bears the burden of proving comparative fault under CPLR § 1412.

Important Aspects of a Product Liability Case

Preserving the product itself is the single most critical step after a product injury, because it is usually the most important piece of evidence. Do not repair, alter, or discard it. Expert analysis is needed to establish the defect and rule out other causes. Public resources such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the NHTSA vehicle recall database track product hazards and recalls, and a recall affecting the product involved can be powerful supporting evidence. Prompt medical care ties the injury to the product rather than to some other cause.

The Product Liability Case Timeline

Every claim runs on its own schedule, but most follow the same path. We investigate the injury, secure and examine the product, and identify every liable party in the chain of distribution. We work with engineering and medical experts and follow your treatment so the claim reflects the full scope of your injuries. We submit a demand and negotiate toward a fair settlement. If the defense refuses a reasonable amount, we file suit in Erie County Supreme Court and move into discovery. Finally, the case resolves through settlement or, when necessary, a jury trial.

Important New York Legal Resources

The three-year statute of limitations under CPLR § 214 governs most claims, the discovery rule for latent injuries appears in CPLR § 214-c, and pure comparative fault under CPLR § 1411 controls how shared blame affects recovery. Recall and safety information is available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Product Liability Lawyer FAQs

Do I have to prove the company was negligent?

Often no. New York recognizes strict products liability, so you generally need to show the product was defective, the defect made it unreasonably dangerous, and it caused your injury during normal or foreseeable use, without having to prove the manufacturer was careless.

Who can be held responsible for a defective product?

Everyone in the chain of distribution can potentially be liable, including the manufacturer of the finished product, the maker of a defective component, the distributor, and the retailer. Identifying each one expands the coverage available.

How long do I have to file a product liability claim in New York?

Most claims must be filed within three years of the injury under CPLR § 214. For latent injuries from harmful exposures, the three-year clock runs from discovery under CPLR § 214-c. Unlike some states, New York has no broad product statute of repose based on the product’s age.

What should I do with the product that injured me?

Keep it, and do not repair, alter, or throw it away. The product is usually the most important piece of evidence in the case. Preserve it along with any packaging, manuals, receipts, and photographs of its condition at the time of the injury.

What does it cost to hire a product liability lawyer?

Nothing upfront. Jacobson Injury Firm handles product liability cases on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and the initial consultation is free.

Contact Jacobson Injury Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If a defective product injured you or someone you love in Buffalo, you do not have to take on a manufacturer and its insurers alone. A Buffalo product liability lawyer at Jacobson Injury Firm can review what happened, preserve the evidence, and pursue the full compensation New York law allows. Consultations are free, and we work on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover for you. Contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to speak directly with Adam Jacobson.