Can a Family Sue a Manufacturer After a Fatal Product Defect in California?

 Posted on March 27, 2026 in Wrongful Death

A defective product can do more than cause injuries. Sometimes it kills. When a dangerous item takes the life of someone you love, the pain is hard to put into words. On top of the grief, medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income pile up fast. Families are left dealing with serious financial pressure at the worst possible time. In California, families may have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable through a wrongful death claim. If you lost a loved one due to a dangerous product in 2026, a Glendale, CA personal injury lawyer can help you understand what those options are.

What Is a Product Liability Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit filed by surviving family members when someone is killed because of another party's actions. When the cause of death is a dangerous or defective product, the case becomes a product liability wrongful death claim. Instead of suing another driver or a property owner, the family takes legal action against the company that made or sold the product. If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies, a personal injury attorney can review the details and help you decide on the next steps.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Fatal Product Defect in California?

More than one party may be responsible when a defective product kills someone. Liability depends in large part on how the defect happened and how the product reached your loved one. Possible liable parties include the original designer, the manufacturer, a parts supplier, and the retailer that sold the product. California uses a strict liability standard in these cases. Strict liability means a family does not need to prove the company was careless. They only need to show that the product was defective and that the defect caused the death.

California recognizes three types of product defects that can support a product liability claim:

• Design defects: The product was dangerous from the start, even when built correctly. A vehicle with a fuel system that catches fire too easily in a rear-end crash is one example.

• Manufacturing defects: Something went wrong during the creation process that made a product more dangerous than it should have been. A faulty airbag inflator that ruptures and causes fatal injuries is one example.

• Warning defects: The product did not include proper instructions or failed to warn users about known dangers. This is often called a failure to warn claim. Failure to warn means the company knew about a risk but did not tell consumers.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 50,900 deaths related to consumer products occurred in the United States in just one recent year. This shows how serious product-related risks can be, even if not every case leads to a lawsuit.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the first people who have the right to file a wrongful death claim are the surviving spouse or domestic partner and the deceased person’s children. If none of those family members exist, other dependents or heirs may be able to file. California law gives families two years from the date of death to file a claim. Talking to an attorney as soon as possible is important.

What Should Families Know Before Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?

Most wrongful death cases focus on proving that another person acted carelessly. A product liability wrongful death case is different. The target is a company, not an individual. These cases often need expert witnesses, engineering analysis, and a review of manufacturing records. Large companies usually have legal teams ready to fight claims. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can make a real difference in the outcome.

Families who bring a wrongful death case may be able to recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of love, care, companionship, and guidance. In some cases, the estate may also bring a separate survival action to recover certain losses the person suffered before death. In a typical product liability wrongful death case, California law does not impose the same kind of damages cap that applies in some medical malpractice cases. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Los Angeles, CA Wrongful Death Attorney

No family should go through this alone. Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. is ready to help you pursue accountability and fair compensation. We offer free consultations, so you can get answers about your case without any upfront cost. Reach out to our Glendale, CA wrongful death lawyers today or call 818-242-8201.