When a product is defective and causes injury, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer who placed it in the stream of commerce may be strictly liable for the harm — regardless of whether they were negligent in the traditional sense. Product liability law in Nevada protects consumers who are injured by dangerous or defective products, from automotive defects to defective medical devices to dangerous consumer goods. A Las Vegas product liability attorney at Marathon Law Group pursues manufacturers and distributors when their products cause harm in Nevada.
Injured in Las Vegas? Call Marathon Law Group at (702) 522-1808 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Three Types of Product Defects Under Nevada Law
Nevada product liability law recognizes three distinct categories of defect, each requiring different proof. A manufacturing defect exists when a specific product deviates from its intended design due to an error in the production process — for example, a bolt that was improperly installed in a vehicle during assembly. A design defect exists when the product’s entire line is designed in a way that makes it unreasonably dangerous — for example, a vehicle with a rollover-prone center of gravity. A warning defect (or failure to warn) exists when a product poses risks that are not obvious to the average user and the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions about those risks. Different defect types require different evidence and expert testimony.
Strict Liability in Nevada Product Defect Cases
Nevada applies strict products liability, meaning an injured person does not need to prove the manufacturer was careless or negligent — only that the product was defective and the defect caused the injury. This is a significant consumer protection compared to general negligence, because it removes the often-impossible task of proving exactly what went wrong in a complex manufacturing process. Strict liability extends to the entire distribution chain: manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, and retailer may all be defendants in a product liability case, with the relative responsibility determined through indemnity and contribution claims among them.
Common Product Liability Cases in Las Vegas
Product liability cases in Nevada arise from a wide range of defective products. Automotive defects — defective airbags (the Takata recall affected millions of vehicles), faulty brakes, tire blowouts due to manufacturing defects, and electronic stability control failures — cause serious injuries in Nevada’s highway environment. Defective medical devices, including hip and knee implants that fail prematurely, hernia mesh products, and surgical tools, cause harm that requires revision surgery and ongoing medical management. Consumer product defects — power tool failures, furniture tip-overs, defective children’s products — and food safety failures (contamination, undisclosed allergens) make up additional categories.
What a Nevada Product Liability Case Requires
Successful product liability cases require preserving the defective product (critical — do not discard, repair, or allow the manufacturer to “inspect and return” the product without protective legal procedures in place), obtaining any prior complaints or recall notices related to the product, and retaining engineering or industry experts to establish that the product was defective and that the defect caused the specific injury. Many significant product liability cases are pursued as class actions when the same defect affects large numbers of consumers, but individual cases also proceed where the injuries are severe and the defect can be established on a per-product basis.
Contact Marathon Law Group About a Defective Product Injury
If you were injured by a defective product in Nevada, preserving the evidence is the first critical step. Marathon Law Group handles Las Vegas product liability cases and can take immediate action to preserve the defective product and related evidence. Call (702) 522-1808 for a free consultation.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney at Marathon Law Group. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.
For more information about your legal options, visit our Nevada personal injury practice area page or contact us today for a free consultation. You should also be aware of the Nevada personal injury statute of limitations to protect your rights.