Product Liability Claims in San Antonio: Defective Products and Consumer Rights

Understanding Your Rights When Injured by Defective Products in Texas

Every day, San Antonio residents use countless products, trusting that they’re safe when used as intended. Unfortunately, defective products cause thousands of injuries annually across Texas. When manufacturers, distributors, or retailers put profits ahead of safety, innocent consumers pay the price.

At Ryan Orsatti Law, we believe that victims of defective products deserve justice and fair compensation. Our experienced San Antonio product liability attorneys fight tirelessly to protect consumer rights throughout Bexar County and beyond.

What Qualifies as a Defective Product in San Antonio?

Under Texas law, a product can be considered defective in three primary ways:

1. Design Defects

Design defects exist when a product’s inherent design is unreasonably dangerous, even when manufactured perfectly according to specifications. These flaws occur before production begins and affect all units of the product.

Example: A chair designed with legs that are too weak to support the average adult’s weight, causing collapse and injury.

2. Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects occur during production, assembly, or shipping. Unlike design defects, these typically affect a limited number of units rather than the entire product line.

Example: A batch of medication contaminated with harmful bacteria due to improper manufacturing processes.

3. Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)

Marketing defects involve inadequate instructions or warnings about a product’s proper use or inherent risks. Manufacturers have a duty to provide clear warnings about non-obvious dangers.

Example: A powerful cleaning chemical that fails to warn users about the need for ventilation, resulting in respiratory injuries.

Common Defective Products in San Antonio Personal Injury Cases

Our San Antonio product liability lawyers regularly handle cases involving:

• Automotive defects: Faulty airbags, defective tires, brake failures, and unstable vehicle designs prone to rollovers
• Dangerous medications: Prescription drugs with undisclosed side effects or contaminated over-the-counter medications
• Defective medical devices: Implants, pacemakers, or surgical equipment that malfunction
• Children’s products: Toys with choking hazards, flammable clothing, or cribs with dangerous design flaws
• Household appliances: Exploding pressure cookers, faulty wiring in electronics, or fire-prone appliances
• Industrial equipment: Machinery lacking proper guards, safety switches, or adequate warnings
• Toxic chemicals: Household products, pesticides, or industrial chemicals with inadequate warnings

Product Liability Laws in Texas: What San Antonio Consumers Should Know

Texas product liability laws are designed to protect consumers while establishing clear guidelines for legal claims. Understanding these laws is essential if you’ve been injured by a defective product in San Antonio.

Strict Liability in Texas Product Cases

Most Texas product liability claims operate under “strict liability,” meaning plaintiffs don’t necessarily need to prove manufacturer negligence. Instead, you must demonstrate:

1. The product was defective when it left the manufacturer’s control
2. The defect rendered the product unreasonably dangerous
3. The defect caused your injuries
4. You used the product as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner

This strict liability standard makes it possible to hold companies accountable even when they followed all industry standards but still produced dangerous products.

Statute of Limitations for San Antonio Product Liability Claims

In San Antonio and throughout Texas, product liability claims must typically be filed within two years from the date of injury. However, exceptions may apply under the “discovery rule” if the injury wasn’t immediately apparent.

It’s crucial to consult with a San Antonio product liability attorney promptly after discovering an injury, as failing to file within the statute of limitations will likely bar your claim permanently.

Comparative Fault in Texas Product Liability

Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” system with a 51% bar rule. This means:

• If you were partially responsible for your injuries, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you’re found to be more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages

For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. However, if you’re found 51% or more at fault, you would recover nothing.

Types of Damages Available in San Antonio Product Liability Cases

Victims of defective products in San Antonio may be entitled to several types of compensation:

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs
• Adaptive equipment or home modifications

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical impairment or disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (impact on marital relationship)

Punitive Damages

In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, Texas courts may award punitive damages to punish especially egregious behavior and deter similar conduct. However, Texas law caps punitive damages at the greater of:

• $200,000, or
• Two times the economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages (up to $750,000)

The Texas Product Liability Chain: Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Multiple parties in the distribution chain may be liable for defective product injuries in San Antonio:

• Manufacturers: From large corporations to small component makers
• Designers: Those responsible for product specifications and blueprints
• Distributors and wholesalers: Middlemen in the supply chain
• Retailers: Stores that sold the defective product
• Marketers: Entities that created misleading advertising or inadequate warnings

At Ryan Orsatti Law, our San Antonio product liability attorneys thoroughly investigate each case to identify all potentially liable parties, maximizing our clients’ chances for full compensation.

Proving Your San Antonio Product Liability Claim

Successfully winning a product liability case in San Antonio requires establishing several key elements:

1. The Product Was Defective

Using expert testimony, engineering analysis, and other evidence to demonstrate the specific defect that made the product unreasonably dangerous.

2. You Used the Product as Intended

Showing that you were using the product for its designed purpose or in a reasonably foreseeable manner when injured.

3. The Defect Caused Your Injuries

Establishing a direct causal link between the product defect and your specific injuries, often requiring medical expert testimony.

4. You Suffered Damages

Documenting all losses, both economic and non-economic, resulting from your injuries.

Recent Product Liability Trends Affecting San Antonio Consumers

Growing Concerns About E-Commerce Product Safety

With the rise of online marketplaces, San Antonio consumers increasingly purchase products directly from international manufacturers. These products may not meet U.S. safety standards, creating new challenges for injury victims seeking compensation.

Connected Devices and Smart Product Liability

As San Antonio homes fill with smart devices, new liability questions emerge regarding software defects, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and privacy breaches that cause consumer harm.

The Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions

Recent global supply chain issues have sometimes led to rushed production, substitute components, and quality control lapses. These factors may contribute to increased product defects affecting San Antonio consumers.

How a San Antonio Product Liability Attorney Can Help

Navigating a product liability claim requires specialized legal knowledge and resources. At Ryan Orsatti Law, our experienced San Antonio product liability lawyers provide comprehensive support:

Thorough Investigation

We work with engineers, medical experts, and other specialists to identify product defects and establish causation.

Full Valuation of Your Claim

Our team thoroughly documents all damages to ensure you seek appropriate compensation for both current and future losses.

Product History Research

We investigate whether similar defects have caused other injuries, strengthening your claim through evidence of known problems.

Expert Witness Coordination

Product liability cases often require testimony from engineers, medical professionals, and industry experts. We maintain relationships with qualified experts across relevant fields.

Skilled Negotiation and Litigation

Many product liability cases settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, strengthening your position in settlement negotiations.

Protecting San Antonio Consumers: Steps to Take After a Defective Product Injury

If you’ve been injured by a potentially defective product in San Antonio:

1. Seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries
2. Preserve the product in its current condition (don’t repair, alter, or discard it)
3. Save all packaging, instructions, and receipts
4. Document your injuries with photographs and detailed notes
5. Report the incident to the manufacturer and relevant regulatory agencies
6. Consult with a San Antonio product liability attorney before accepting any settlement offers

San Antonio Consumer Protection Resources

Beyond legal remedies, San Antonio consumers can access various resources for product safety concerns:

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Report dangerous products and check for recalls
• FDA MedWatch: Report adverse events from medications or medical devices
• NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: Report automotive safety issues
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Information on consumer product safety in Texas

Why Choose Ryan Orsatti Law for Your San Antonio Product Liability Claim

San Antonio product liability cases demand attorneys with specialized knowledge and proven results. At Ryan Orsatti Law, we offer:

• In-depth knowledge of Texas product liability laws and precedents
• Established relationships with product safety experts and medical specialists
• Resources to match corporate legal teams representing manufacturers
• Compassionate guidance throughout the legal process
• No recovery, no fee guarantee – you pay nothing unless we win your case

Contact a San Antonio Product Liability Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product in San Antonio, don’t face the powerful interests of manufacturers and insurance companies alone. Ryan Orsatti Law is dedicated to protecting consumer rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

Contact our San Antonio office today for a free, confidential consultation. Our experienced product liability attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you decide the best path forward.