When the product you trusted hurt you, the manufacturer's lawyers are already preparing their defense. Segal Law Firm goes after every party in the chain — designer, manufacturer, distributor, seller — to recover what you're owed.
Product liability cases are complex, document-heavy, and often pit one injured person against a multi-billion dollar corporation. We've built our reputation on cases like these — and we have the resources and experts to win them.
The three kinds of product defect
New York recognizes three distinct theories of product liability: a <strong>design defect</strong> (the product is dangerous even when made correctly), a <strong>manufacturing defect</strong> (something went wrong with this specific unit), and a <strong>failure to warn</strong> (the seller didn't adequately warn about a known risk).
Any party in the chain of distribution — manufacturer, distributor, retailer — can be liable. We identify every responsible party so the recovery isn't limited to one defendant's insurance.
What you may recover
- Medical bills (past & future)
- Lost wages & earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Punitive damages (in some cases)
- Wrongful death damages
What to do after a product injury
Preserve the product — it's the single most important piece of evidence.
DO NOT throw out the product
Bag and store it exactly as it was at the time of injury. Don't 'test' it or take it apart — that destroys evidence.
Photograph everything
The product, packaging, instructions, warning labels, your injuries, and the scene where it failed.
Save the paperwork
Receipts, packaging, instructions, warranties, registration. Anything that proves where and when you bought it.
Call us before contacting the manufacturer
They'll ask to 'inspect' or 'recover' the product. Once it's in their hands, it can vanish.
Why injured consumers choose Segal
Engineering & medical experts
Mechanical engineers, materials scientists, biomechanics specialists. Product cases are won with experts — we have the network.
We trace every responsible party
Manufacturer, contract manufacturer, distributor, retailer, importer. Each adds insurance coverage to the case.
We take on corporate defense
Big manufacturers retain elite firms. We've fought them for decades and know how to push past the playbook.
Resources to litigate long
Product cases are document- and expert-intensive. We advance all costs and stay in the fight for as long as it takes.
Preserve the product immediately.
The single fastest way to lose a product case is to discard, repair, or alter the defective item. Bag it, store it, and call us before anyone touches it.
The products we handle
When products cause real harm
Defective vehicles & parts
Airbag failures, accelerator defects, tire blowouts, seatbelt failures, fuel-system fires. Auto cases pair with crash investigation.
Industrial machinery
Missing guards, defective controls, inadequate warnings. Often involves both a product case and a workplace claim.
Power tools & equipment
Saws, nailers, grinders, pressure washers. Many injuries trace to design choices the manufacturer could have prevented.
Household appliances
Stoves, washers, microwaves, space heaters causing fires, electrocutions, or burns.
Medical devices
Hip and knee implants, surgical mesh, IVC filters, CPAP machines. We track ongoing recalls and MDL litigation.
Pharmaceutical injuries
Drugs with undisclosed side effects, contaminated medications, mislabeled prescriptions.
Children's products
Cribs, strollers, car seats, toys. Children are owed the highest duty of care.
Electronics & batteries
E-bike and lithium-ion battery fires, vape device explosions, overheating devices.
Frequently asked
Answers before you call
Do I have to prove the company was 'negligent'?+
Not necessarily. New York allows strict product liability — meaning a manufacturer can be liable if the product was defective and caused injury, even without proof of carelessness. There are also negligence and breach-of-warranty theories.
What if the product was recalled?+
A recall is helpful evidence but not the end of the case. We pursue claims for injuries that happened before, during, or after recall, and recall communications themselves often help prove notice.
I no longer have the product. Do I still have a case?+
It's much harder, but not impossible. Photos, repair records, expert reconstruction, and recall history can sometimes substitute. Call us — don't assume your case is over.
Who exactly do you sue?+
Typically every entity in the chain of distribution — manufacturer, contract manufacturer, distributor, importer, and retailer. Each one may carry separate insurance.
How long do I have to file?+
Generally three years from injury for personal injury claims in New York, but discovery rules can change the start date. Don't wait — call us early.
What does it cost?+
Nothing upfront. Product cases are expensive to prosecute — we advance every dollar and only get paid out of the recovery.
Contact
Hurt by a defective product? Let's talk.
Free consultation. We preserve evidence fast. No fee unless we win.