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May 05, 2026
In Louisiana, when you purchase a product, you expect that product to work in a safe and effective manner. However, whether you live in Lafayette or call the NOLA area home, products often fail and can actually cause a consumer serious and even deadly harm. According to Louisiana product liability laws, manufacturers are to be held accountable when their products cause harm or are unreasonably dangerous, and a personal injury lawyer can help you.
What Is Covered by Product Liability Law in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the Louisiana Products Liability Act sets a legal precedent for all injury claims related to product liability, or defective products. This act helps define times when a manufacturer is accountable for the damages caused by an unsafe or dangerous product. A product is considered to be unreasonably dangerous if it fails in any one or more of the following ways:
- The product has a design defect that has made it unsafe even when it is being used correctly.
- The manufacturers have failed to warn consumers about the possible dangers posed by the product.t
- The product has breached an express warranty, meaning that it did not perform in the way that was promised.
- The product contains a manufacturing defect that occurred while it was being produced.
These conditions only apply to manufacturers of a detective product, rather than a retailer or seller, unless that retailer or seller altered or modified the product in any manner. To bring forward a valid claim, the victim of a defective product must be able to prove that their injury took place while they were using the product in a normal way.
In 2024, product liability cases surged by 78% across America. This increase shows that there is a need to hold companies accountable through product liability claims.
Types of Louisiana Product Defects
In Louisiana, there is a range of different product defects that can make even everyday household items dangerous. These specific defects include:
- Design defect. A design defect is typically present in the actual blueprint of the product. Even if the product has been correctly built, it can still be dangerous to the consumer. For example, a dresser that is meant for a nursery, but is too top-heavy, can lead to serious and even fatal accidents for a child learning to crawl or walk. In 2022, more than 2,000 children aged five and under died in a product-related accident.
- Construction or composition defect. This kind of defect takes place when a product is built in an incorrect manner or has been built using faulty materials. One example might be a pressure cooker that explodes when the seal included was not properly installed when the item was being manufactured.
- Failure to warn. In Louisiana, manufacturers are required to include clear and visible safety instructions on their products. If they fail to do so and consumers are not warned about possible hazards, then the manufacturer may be held liable for any damages that occur.
- Breach of express warranty. This happens when a product does not perform in the way that was promised through marketing documentation or materials. For example, a floor cleaning product that was marked as “floor safe” but actually has caused immense amounts of damage could qualify under this product liability classification.
Common Products Often Involved in Liability Claims
Across the state, product liability cases can take a variety of forms. Anything bought or sold from any store can be dangerous if it harbors any construction or composition defect, failure to warn, breach of express warranty, or design defect.
Often, these are products found in the workplace, home, or inside a vehicle. Common examples of defective products include:
- Household appliances, such as blenders, pressure cookers, heaters, furnaces, toasters, and microwaves
- Defective car parts, such as tires, airbags, steering systems, or the entire braking system as a whole
- Medical devices, such as hip implants, medical mesh, or pacemakers
- Children’s and infants’ toys or furniture items that present a serious and even fatal choking hazard should the child place the item in their mouth.
- Prescription medications that cause unreported side effects, often complicated cases that involve both failure-to-warn and design defects
- Household furnishings, such as children’s beds, chairs, and high chairs
FAQs
How Do I Prove a Defective Product Claim in Louisiana?
To prove your defective product claim in Louisiana, you must have strong evidence that can back you up. This evidence can include all product testing reports or technical documentation that apply, safety recalls, or previous consumer complaints, and your own medical reports that link your injury to the product defect.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Product Liability Claim?
In a product liability claim, there are several forms of damages, or compensation, you may be able to recover. These can include:
- All related medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost employment benefits
- Property damage or loss
- Loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one died because of a defective product
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Product Liability Case in LA?
Who can be held liable in a product liability case in Louisiana can include parties throughout the supply chain. Since there are several parties often at play in the creation of a product, anyone in the chain of design, distribution, manufacturing, or the sale of the defective or dangerous product can be held liable.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Product Liability Lawyer?
The cost to hire a product liability lawyer varies case to case and lawyer to lawyer. Often, most product liability lawyers work off a contingency fee basis, meaning that they are not paid until compensation is recovered. However, certain factors influence the final costs of an attorney, including the duration and complexity of your claim and the experience and education of your lawyer.
Hire a Product Liability Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured due to a defective product, you need to hire a product liability lawyer as soon as possible. At Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, our attorneys have over 50 years of experience and are here to assist you when the time comes to file a legal claim in Louisiana. Product liability cases are difficult, and the parties involved can first appear powerful.
At Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, we aren’t afraid of going up against even the most powerful of insurance companies. Contact our offices today to learn more and schedule your initial consultation.
