Product Liability Lawyer Pittsford, NY

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

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

People trust that the products they buy, from car 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. A product liability lawyer in Pittsford, 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 Pittsford, NY

A product liability claim arises when a defective or unreasonably dangerous product injures someone. 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 during normal or foreseeable use. Liability can extend across the entire chain of distribution, from the manufacturer of a component part to the retailer that put the product on the shelf. Matters that proceed to litigation are heard in Monroe County Supreme Court, part of New York’s 7th Judicial District.

The Three Types of Product Defects

New York product liability law generally 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 designed from the outset, so every unit produced is flawed even when manufactured perfectly to the specified design.
• Manufacturing defects. The design itself 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

Dangerous products appear in nearly every corner of daily life. Our firm handles claims involving defective auto parts such as faulty airbags, tires, and braking systems that can turn a routine drive on Pittsford’s roads into a serious Pittsford car accident, defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals, unsafe household appliances and power tools, and dangerous children’s products and recreational gear. Defective products such as lithium-ion batteries and flammable materials can also cause Pittsford burn injury claims. When a defect causes a Pittsford catastrophic injury or a Pittsford wrongful death, the consequences extend far beyond the initial injury, and the compensation required must reflect that.

New York’s Statute of Limitations for Product Claims

New York’s timing rules for product liability claims have an important feature that benefits injured people. Most product liability claims must be filed within three years of the date of injury under CPLR § 214. However, for claims involving exposure to substances that cause latent or delayed injuries, such as toxic chemicals, asbestos, or other materials whose harm takes time to manifest, 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. Critically, unlike some states, New York does not apply a broad product statute of repose that cuts off claims based solely on how old the product was. The clock runs from when you were injured, regardless of the product’s age, which preserves claims that would otherwise be barred in other jurisdictions.

Why Choose Jacobson Injury Firm as Your Product Liability Lawyer in Pittsford, 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, is based in the Pittsford community, and knows the Monroe County courts where these cases are decided.

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 arrangement lets injured people take on large manufacturers without financial risk at the outset. For the full range of matters we handle, see our Pittsford 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. Depending on the facts, 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 protects the claim.

Important Aspects of a Product Liability Case

Preserving the product itself is critical, because it is often the single most important piece of evidence. Do not repair, alter, or discard the item. Expert analysis is usually needed to establish the defect and rule out other causes of the injury. 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 strong supporting evidence. Prompt medical care ties the injury to the product rather than to some other intervening 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 Monroe County Supreme Court and move into discovery. Finally, the case resolves through settlement or, when necessary, a jury trial.

Important New York Legal Resources

New York law sets the framework for these claims. 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 publicly available through the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Product Liability Lawyer FAQs

Do I have to prove the company was negligent to win a product liability case?

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, rather than proving the manufacturer was careless. Negligence and warranty theories may also be available depending on the facts.

Who can be held responsible for a defective product?

Responsibility can extend to everyone in the chain of distribution, including the manufacturer of the finished product, the maker of a defective part, the distributor, and the retailer that sold it. Identifying every liable party expands the insurance coverage available to compensate you.

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 claims involving latent injuries from exposure to substances, 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, so the deadline is tied to your injury, not to when the product was made or sold.

What should I do with the product that injured me?

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

Our Pittsford Office

Jacobson Injury Firm serves injured clients throughout Pittsford and Monroe County from our office at 1080 Pittsford-Victor Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can reach us at (585) 510-4349 to arrange a free consultation.

Contact Jacobson Injury Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If a defective product injured you or someone you love in Pittsford, you do not have to take on a manufacturer and its insurers alone. A Pittsford product liability lawyer at our 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.