If you or a loved one was injured by a dangerous or defective product in Louisiana, you may be entitled to significant compensation — even if you were not the original buyer. At Pichon Law Firm, New Orleans product liability attorney Jeremy Pichon fights to hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable when their defective products cause serious harm. With over 17 years of personal injury experience and more than $100 million recovered for clients, we know how to take on big corporations and win.
What Is a Product Liability Claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s Products Liability Act (La. R.S. 9:2800.51 et seq.) governs defective product injury claims in the state. Under this law, a manufacturer can be held liable when a product is unreasonably dangerous due to a construction or composition defect, a design defect, inadequate warning, or failure to conform to an express warranty.
Unlike a standard negligence claim, you do not have to prove the manufacturer was careless. You must show that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. Our attorneys evaluate every potential theory of liability to maximize your recovery.
Types of Defective Product Cases We Handle
Pichon Law Firm represents injury victims across all categories of product liability, including:
Defective Auto Parts
Faulty brakes, exploding airbags, tire blowouts, and steering failures cause thousands of serious accidents every year. If a manufacturing or design defect in your vehicle or its components contributed to a crash, the auto manufacturer may owe you compensation in addition to — or instead of — another driver.
Dangerous Medical Devices
Hip implants, hernia mesh, pacemakers, and surgical instruments that fail can cause catastrophic injuries requiring additional surgeries, chronic pain, and permanent disability. We have experience pursuing complex medical device litigation against national manufacturers.
Defective Pharmaceuticals and Drugs
Drug manufacturers are required to warn patients and physicians of known risks. When a pharmaceutical company conceals dangerous side effects or fails to provide adequate instructions, injured patients may have a strong product liability claim.
Unsafe Children’s Products and Toys
Cribs, car seats, strollers, and toys that contain choking hazards, sharp edges, or toxic materials put children at serious risk. We represent families whose children were harmed by products that never should have made it to store shelves.
Defective Power Tools and Industrial Equipment
Construction workers, factory employees, and homeowners are injured every day by saws, grinders, and heavy machinery that lack adequate guards, have faulty switches, or are designed without proper safety features. A product liability claim can run alongside a workers’ compensation claim when the injury occurs at work.
Household Appliances and Electronics
Defective appliances — including space heaters, lithium-ion batteries, and pressure cookers — cause fires, explosions, and electrocution injuries. If a product failure caused your home fire or injury, a product liability claim may provide compensation beyond your property insurer’s limits.
Three Types of Product Defects Under Louisiana Law
Manufacturing Defects
A manufacturing defect occurs when a specific unit of a product is built incorrectly — even though the design itself was safe. A bolt left out during assembly, contamination during production, or an improper component substitution are common examples. These defects make the individual product more dangerous than intended.
Design Defects
A design defect affects the entire product line because the design itself is inherently dangerous. Louisiana courts apply the “risk-utility” test: would a reasonable manufacturer who knew of the risk have designed the product differently? If a safer, practical alternative design existed, the manufacturer may be liable for every injury caused by that product.
Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects)
Manufacturers must provide adequate instructions and warnings about risks that are not obvious to ordinary users. When a company knows their product poses a specific danger but fails to warn consumers — or provides warnings that are buried, inadequate, or misleading — they can be held liable for resulting injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Louisiana product liability claims can be brought against any party in the product’s distribution chain:
- Manufacturers — the company that designed and built the product
- Parts suppliers — companies that supplied defective components
- Distributors and wholesalers — intermediaries in the supply chain
- Retailers — stores that sold the defective product
- Importers — companies that brought foreign-made products into the U.S.
In many cases, multiple parties share liability. Attorney Jeremy Pichon investigates the entire supply chain to identify every responsible party and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Compensation You Can Recover
Victims of defective products in Louisiana may be entitled to recover:
Economic Damages
- Past and future medical expenses (surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, medication)
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Property damage and replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for spouses and family members
Punitive Damages
In cases where a manufacturer acted with reckless disregard for consumer safety — such as knowingly selling a product with a fatal defect — Louisiana courts may award additional damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.
Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations for Product Liability Claims
In Louisiana, you generally have one year from the date of your injury to file a product liability lawsuit (La. C.C. art. 3492). This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country. However, there are important exceptions, including the “discovery rule” for injuries or illnesses that were not immediately apparent (such as exposure to a toxic substance). Do not wait — the sooner you contact a defective products attorney, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence.
Why Choose Pichon Law Firm for Your Product Liability Case?
Product liability cases against large corporations are complex. Manufacturers have teams of defense attorneys and experts working to minimize their exposure. Attorney Jeremy Pichon levels the playing field:
- Proven trial lawyer — 100+ jury trials with $100M+ recovered for clients
- Individual and class action experience — we have pursued both individual claims and class actions against corporate defendants
- Expert network — we work with engineers, medical professionals, and industry specialists to build compelling liability cases
- Contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we win. Free consultations available 24/7.
- Named Super Lawyer 2016–2026 — 11 consecutive years of recognition for outstanding results
Frequently Asked Questions About Defective Product Claims in Louisiana
Can I sue if I was using the product differently than intended?
Possibly. Louisiana courts look at whether the use was “reasonably anticipated” by the manufacturer. If the product was used in a foreseeable way — even if not the intended way — you may still have a claim. If the manufacturer could have anticipated the misuse, they may be required to design against it or warn consumers.
What if the product was recalled after my injury?
A product recall is powerful evidence of a defect. If your injury occurred before or after a recall for the same problem, you likely have a strong claim. Keep the defective product, the original packaging, and any recall notices. Contact us immediately.
Do I need to have the defective product?
Preserving the product is ideal, but not always possible. Our attorneys and forensic experts can sometimes build a product liability case using photographs, maintenance records, purchase receipts, expert analysis, and testimony from other injured consumers. Contact us even if the product has been destroyed or returned.
What if I was partially at fault for my injury?
Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system. Even if you were partially responsible for your injury, you can still recover compensation — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages are $500,000, you can still recover $400,000.
How long will my case take?
Product liability cases against large manufacturers typically take longer than standard personal injury cases because they involve complex discovery, expert witnesses, and well-funded defense teams. Simple cases may resolve in months; complex multi-party litigation may take two or more years. We keep you informed at every stage and never pressure you to accept a low settlement.
Related Resources
If the defective product caused serious personal injury or a fatality, read our guides on related practice areas: New Orleans Burn Injury Lawyer (explosions, fires, chemical burns) | New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer (product-related fatalities) | New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer (defective auto parts).
For step-by-step guidance on what to do after an injury — including preserving evidence and meeting deadlines — see: Critical Steps After an Accident: A Guide to New Orleans Injury Law.
Contact a New Orleans Defective Products Lawyer Today
If you were injured by a defective product in Louisiana, you deserve an attorney who will fight — not settle — for what you are worth. Contact Pichon Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call us at (504) 576-0440, text us at (504) 291-7000, or use our online contact form. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Serving New Orleans, Metairie, Baton Rouge, and clients throughout Louisiana.