Fighting for Consumers Hurt by Dangerous and Defective Products
Every day, New Jersey families trust cars, power tools, prescription medicines, and countless other consumer products to work safely. When a defective product explodes, malfunctions, or simply fails, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced more than 300 product recalls nationwide in 2024, many of which affected New Jersey households.
Medical devices and prescription medicines accounted for the largest share of multi‑million‑dollar verdicts in NJ product‑liability courts last year.
Auto‑part recalls, including airbags, defective brakes, and fuel pumps, led to thousands of repair notices across Camden and Gloucester Counties.
The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman stands up for victims throughout the state. Our New Jersey product liability attorneys file claims against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, demanding compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long‑term care.
From our Vineland office, we fight for injured South Jersey residents across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, and Salem Counties.
Why Choose Our New Jersey Product Liability Lawyers?
Decades of handling complex product liability claims. We know the difference between a manufacturing defect, a design defect, and a failure‑to‑warn, and how to prove each in court.
Rapid evidence preservation. Our investigators secure the product itself, batch codes, purchase receipts, and supply chain documents before they disappear.
National‑caliber expert network. Mechanical engineers, pharmacologists, and human‑factors specialists pinpoint how the defect caused your injuries.
Contingency‑fee representation. Initial consultations are free; you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Key New Jersey Product‑Liability Laws
Statute / Doctrine | What It Means for Your Claim |
|---|---|
New Jersey Products Liability Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:58C‑1 et seq.) | Imposes strict liability on manufacturers and sellers for defective designs, manufacturing defects, and inadequate warnings. |
Two‑Year Statute of Limitations (N.J.S.A. 2A:14‑2) | File a product liability lawsuit within 2 years of injury or discovery of defect. |
Ten‑Year Statute of Repose (N.J.S.A. 2A:58C‑8) | Claims are generally barred 10 years after the product’s first sale to a consumer. |
Comparative Fault (N.J.S.A. 2A:15‑5.1–5.3) | Damages reduced if your misuse of the product is > 0 % but ≤ 50 % of the cause. |
Punitive Damages Cap (N.J.S.A. 2A:15‑5.14) | Punitive awards limited to 5× compensatory damages or $350k, whichever is greater. |
Three Types of Product Defects Recognized in New Jersey
Defect Type | Definition | Example |
Manufacturing Defect | The product departs from the intended design during the manufacturing process. | Cracked ladder rung due to a bad weld in one production batch. |
Design Defect | The entire product line is unreasonably dangerous even when made as designed. | A SUV with a high center of gravity is prone to rollover. |
Failure to Warn / Inadequate Instructions | Missing or unclear safety labels or a lack of warnings about foreseeable risks. | Prescription drug label omits known interaction that causes strokes. |
Common Product Liability Cases We Litigate
Product Category | Hazard | Injury Potential |
Automotive Parts | Airbag shrapnel, defective brakes, fuel‑line leaks | Blunt‑force trauma, burns, wrongful death |
Lawn and Garden Equipment | Unshielded blades, faulty kill switches | Amputations, crush injuries |
Household Appliances | Wiring defects leading to fires, dangerous household products | Smoke inhalation, severe burns |
Industrial Equipment | Hoists, presses, and processing fluids are causing explosions | Crush injuries, chemical burns |
Medical Devices | Defective orthopedic products, recalled surgical mesh | Chronic pain, revision surgeries |
Prescription Medicines | Undisclosed side effects, contaminated lots | Organ failure, stroke, birth defects |
Product liability claims often involve multiple party liability, overseas component makers, and big box retailers can all be held liable.
Injuries Linked to Defective Products
Burns and scarring from battery or gas‑line explosions
Spinal or brain injury from collapsing furniture or helmets
Serious lacerations and partial loss of limbs from power‑tool kickback
Wrongful death occurs when safety restraints fail in crashes
Chemical poisoning from caustic industrial cleaners or mislabeled supplements
Damages Our South Jersey Product Liability Attorneys Pursue
Economic | Non‑Economic |
Emergency care & ongoing medical bills | Pain, suffering, and loss of life’s pleasures |
Lost wages & future earning capacity | Emotional distress & loss of consortium |
Prosthetics, home renovations, and mobility aids |
|
Our team partners with life‑care planners and economists to quantify lifetime costs and seek maximum compensation.
Steps to Strengthen Your Product Liability Claim
Preserve the product in its post‑accident condition, including packaging and receipts.
Photograph the defect and the scene of the product liability accident.
Seek immediate medical treatment and keep detailed records.
Document lost time from work and any household help you now require.
Contact a New Jersey product liability lawyers promptly so forensic experts can examine the item before it is altered or destroyed.
Product Liability Claim FAQs
How does an attorney prove a product was defective?
We combine engineering analysis, expert testing, recall data, and Consumer Product Safety Commission findings to show the product was unreasonably dangerous and caused the injury when used as intended.
Who is liable for a faulty product?
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and even foreign corporations importing products can share legal responsibility under NJ’s strict liability framework.
How long does a defective liability lawsuit take?
Each case varies. Complex engineering issues and multi-party discovery can extend timelines, but our firm diligently moves each matter forward.
What do lawyers charge for product liability cases?
We operate on a contingency fee basis, capped at a percentage of the first $750,000 recovered, in line with Court Rule 1:21‑7.
Get a Free Consultation With Our New Jersey Injury Lawyers To Learn More About Your Legal Options
If a defective product has injured you or someone you love, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman for a free consultation and discover how we can hold every product manufacturer and seller accountable.
$20 Million
Wrongful Death in New Jersey
$2 Million
Longshoreman Injury in New Jersey
$1.3 Million
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$1 Million
Workplace Accident in New Jersey
$825,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$750,000
Individual Harmed by an Exploding Thermos
$550,000
Neck & Back Injuries
$440,000
Workplace Injury in New Jersey
$400,000
Motor Vehicle Accident
$300,000
Minor with a Broken Leg
$300,000
Injuries Resulting From a Trip & Fall
$250,000
Pedestrian Accident
Injured? Tell Us Your Story. We’ll Handle the Rest.
Call To Speak To A Lawyer For A Free Case Evaluation.
Cases We Handle in New Jersey
Injured at work, in an accident, or in a slip-and-fall in New Jersey?
From comparative-fault rules to the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Altman Team knows New Jersey law inside out. Whether your claim arises in Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, or Cape May County, we will protect your legal rights and help you get every dollar you deserve.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.