Practice area

San Diego Product Liability Attorney

A defective product can cause devastating injuries even when it is used as intended. Unsafe appliances, tools, batteries, electronics, furniture, children’s products, vehicle components, and other everyday items can cause burns, electrical injuries, crushing injuries, permanent disability, or death.

Hulburt Law Firm represents people and families after serious injuries and deaths caused by defective products. We preserve the evidence, investigate what failed and why, and identify the manufacturers, component suppliers, distributors, retailers, and other companies that may be responsible.

Injured by a defective product? We can help.

Electric scooter on fire indoors near a door and a large black object in a dimly lit room.

Product Liability Cases We Handle

Defective products can cause serious injuries in many different ways. Some products depart from their intended design during manufacturing, while others are unsafe by design or are sold without adequate warnings or instructions.

Hulburt Law Firm represents people and families seriously injured by defective consumer products, equipment, batteries, appliances, vehicle components, and other products throughout San Diego County.

Meet Your Product Liability Attorneys

Conor Hulburt and Leslie Hulburt founded Hulburt Law Firm to represent people and families harmed by defective products. Product liability cases require careful preservation and testing of the product, qualified expert analysis, and the ability to obtain and explain technical evidence often controlled by manufacturers, suppliers, and other companies in the distribution chain.

Conor has substantial experience taking on major manufacturers and corporations, including Ford, Johnson & Johnson, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Continental Tires. His product liability results include a $25.36 million recovery involving a sudden tire failure, a $6.075 million recovery arising from a defective aircraft engine component, and a $5 million recovery involving a defective passenger seatback. He was named the 2027 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in San Diego.

Leslie brings substantial litigation and trial experience to the firm’s serious injury and wrongful death cases and plays a central role in developing the facts, expert evidence, legal strategy, and presentation of complex product liability claims. Her background in journalism and education complements that experience, helping her organize technical and corporate evidence and explain complicated issues clearly and persuasively.

Together, Conor and Leslie work to preserve the critical evidence, determine what failed and why, uncover what the companies involved knew about the danger, identify every responsible party, and develop each product liability case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Attorneys Conor Hulburt and Leslie Hulburt in business suits standing indoors.

Product Liability Case Results

Our experienced attorneys have a proven track record of achieving extraordinary results in product liability cases.

$25,360,000

Fatal Tire Failure

A sudden tire failure caused an SUV to fishtail and crash into a tree on the side of a San Diego County highway, killing a beloved husband and father.

$6,075,000

Fatal Aviation Accident

A defective airplane engine ignition component caused a deadly crash in San Diego.

$5,000,000

Auto Defect

A passenger seatback collapsed in a rear-end collision, causing the occupant life-changing spinal injuries and paralysis.

$3,010,000

Auto Defect

The driver's head restraint broke off when he was rear-ended at high speed on the 15 freeway, causing the driver to suffer a spinal cord injury and paralysis.

$3,000,000

Auto Defect

A defective front driveshaft broke apart and ripped a hole in the underbody of a truck, causing a vehicle fire. The driver suffered catastrophic third-degree burns.

$710,000

Product Liability

A lithium-ion battery exploded in a man’s pocket, severely burning his leg.

Conor is definitely the kind of attorney you want on your side: smart, focused, and relentless.
Patrick C.
Needing an attorney is daunting and stressful. Make it easier on yourself. Give Conor a call.
John D.
Absolutely wonderful, patient and really puts effort into your case. Conor went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of.
Jasmine C.
I was very happy working with Conor and would recommend him to anyone. With him, you're in good hands.
Liz F.
Compassionate, trustworthy, and fights for justice — Conor is the real deal.
Javier Quiroz
The Hulburt Law Firm represented my family after a tragic fatal roadway incident. Their firm was compassionate and sensitive. We would highly recommend them.
Dianne Terry
Finding Conor was truly a blessing. We are so grateful for his compassion, dedication, and support throughout the entire process.
Deisy Quiroz
I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the Hulburt law firm for everything you have done for our family throughout the wrongful death lawsuit. This has been an incredibly difficult time for us, and your professionalism, compassion, and dedication made a meaningful difference every step of the way.
Linda Sheftz
My family is so grateful for the time we had with Hulburt Law. If you’re looking for representation for any sort of accident, I’d bet it all on these two to help you and your families!
Brittany Jameson

How a San Diego Product Liability Case Works

01

Product Liability Case Review

During your free case review, we listen to what happened, what injuries you are facing, and why you believe a product failure or inadequate warning played a role. We review any information you already have, including photographs, video, medical records, purchase details, packaging, manuals, and insurance letters, and give you an honest assessment of whether a California product liability claim may be available.

Request a free case review

02

Preserve the Product

If you decide to work with us, protecting the evidence is the first priority. That may include preserving the product in its post-incident condition, along with its packaging, labels, instructions, receipts, chargers, replacement parts, and photographs of the scene.

The product should not be repaired, altered, returned, discarded, or subjected to destructive testing before the evidence is properly documented and the interested parties have an opportunity to inspect it.

03

Expert Analysis

Next, we investigate what failed and why. Depending on the product, qualified experts may inspect and test it, evaluate its design and manufacturing, review the warnings and instructions, and consider whether a practical, safer design was available.

We may also investigate recalls, prior incidents, consumer complaints, regulatory records, and similar product failures to determine whether the danger was already known.

04

Legal Strategy

Product liability cases may involve several companies in the chain of distribution. We identify the finished-product manufacturer, component suppliers, importers, distributors, retailers, and others who may be responsible.

We also evaluate whether negligent installation, repair, maintenance, or conduct by another party contributed to the injury and identify all potentially available insurance coverage.

05

Settlement Negotiations

We work with clients, medical providers, experts, and family members to document the full impact of the injury, including medical treatment, future care, lost income, pain, physical limitations, and changes to daily life. Once the evidence is sufficiently developed, we present the liability and damages claims to the responsible companies and insurers, challenge efforts to blame the user or minimize the injuries, and keep the client informed about settlement offers and options.

06

Litigation & Trial Representation

If the responsible companies and insurers are unwilling to resolve the case fairly, we are prepared to file a lawsuit. Litigation may involve corporate records, product inspections, expert testing, written discovery, depositions, motions, mediation, and trial preparation.

At trial, we use testimony, documents, physical evidence, expert analysis, and visual presentations to explain what failed, why the product was not reasonably safe, and how the injury affected the client and family.

Real client stories

Product Liability: An Explosive Failure to Warn 

The Harm

A lithium-ion battery exploded in a man’s pocket, causing severe burns to his leg. The smoke shop that sold the battery claimed its employees warned customers never to carry the batteries loose in a pocket or purse.

The Truth

An undercover investigator returned to the smoke shop and purchased the same type of battery. The clerk provided no warning about carrying it loose or the risk of explosion. The entire transaction was captured on video.

Justice

After the defense received the video during mediation, the smoke shop’s insurer paid a substantial settlement that continues to improve the client’s life.

If you were burned or seriously injured by a product that lacked adequate warnings or was not reasonably safe, request a free product liability case review.

California Product Liability Law: Design Defects, Manufacturing Defects, and Failure to Warn

California product liability law allows injured consumers to hold manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other companies responsible when an unsafe product causes harm. The overview below explains the principal legal issues that may arise in a serious product liability case.

The Hulburt Law Difference

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In-Depth Investigations

We preserve and examine the product, packaging, warnings, records, prior incidents, and other evidence needed to understand what failed and why.

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Tech-Forward Approach

Product cases often involve engineering, testing, medical evidence, and complex timelines. We use technology and visual presentation to make that evidence clear.

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Maximum Compensation

Defense attorneys and insurance companies know us and respect us. We assess the full extent of your damages and pursue all responsible parties in order to maximize the compensation you deserve.

The right experience icon.

The Right Experience

Our attorneys have taken on Ford, Johnson & Johnson, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Continental Tires, and other Fortune 500 companies in serious product liability cases.

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Genuine Care

A serious product injury can overwhelm a person or family. We keep clients informed, prepare carefully, and take the time to understand how the injury has affected their health, work, family, and future.

Product Liability FAQs

Serving Clients Across San Diego County

Hulburt Law Firm represents people and families after serious injuries caused by defective products across San Diego County, including San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and surrounding communities.

Map outline of San Diego County with internal subdivision boundaries.

Request a Free Case Review

Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.

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