Every day, you rely on household products to keep you and your family safe. From kitchen appliances and furniture to cleaning supplies and electronics, these items are integral to daily life. Unfortunately, defective household products can cause serious injuries, fires, poisoning, or even death. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective household product in New York, the experienced attorneys at the Porter Law Group are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Challenging major manufacturers and retailers over defective household products requires extensive legal knowledge and resources. Our skilled legal team at the Porter Law Group has successfully recovered substantial compensation for numerous injured clients across New York State. We thoroughly investigate product defects, work with expert engineers and safety specialists, and build compelling cases that hold manufacturers accountable for putting dangerous products in your home.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today at 833-PORTER9 or email info@porterlawteam.com to learn how we can help.
New York law applies strict liability principles to defective household product cases, giving injured consumers strong legal protection. You do not need to prove manufacturer negligence—only that:
This legal standard reflects the idea that manufacturers and retailers are in the best position to ensure product safety and should be held accountable when their products cause harm to consumers.
New York law recognizes three categories of defects that may form the basis of your claim:
Design Defects: These are inherent flaws in the product's design that make entire product lines dangerous. Examples include unstable furniture prone to tip-overs, pressure cookers without adequate safety mechanisms, or space heaters with inadequate fire protection.
Manufacturing Defects: These occur during production when specific units deviate from their intended specifications. Examples include contaminated electrical components in appliances, improperly assembled furniture with missing safety hardware, or household chemicals with incorrect formulations.
Marketing Defects: These involve inadequate warnings about latent risks or improper usage instructions. Recent cases have involved missing safety labels on pressure cookers, inadequate warnings about furniture tip-over risks, or false claims about air purifier effectiveness.
New York extends liability to all entities in the product distribution chain, including:
Manufacturers: Responsible for ensuring products meet safety standards and are free from defects.
Component Suppliers: Liable for supplying faulty parts or hazardous ingredients, such as defective wiring or chemical components.
Retailers: May face liability for selling products they knew or should have known were defective, especially when they fail to comply with safety requirements.
Online Marketplaces: Recent case law has expanded liability to e-commerce platforms facilitating third-party sales of defective goods, particularly imported household items that bypass U.S. safety standards.
Enacted in 2019, Harper’s Law imposes specific obligations on furniture retailers in New York to prevent fatal tip-over incidents. The law requires:
This legislation has influenced national safety standards and created additional liability for retailers who fail to provide required safety equipment or warnings.
These examples illustrate how routine household items can pose life-threatening hazards when not properly designed or manufactured. If you were a victim in a similar incident and you believe it was caused by a defective product, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Porter Law Group to learn more about your legal options.
In 2021, IKEA agreed to a $50 million global settlement related to its MALM dressers, which caused eight child fatalities due to tip-overs. In addition to compensating the families, IKEA committed to charitable donations of $150,000 per victim and reinforced the importance of safe furniture design.
The settlement influenced later New York cases, expanding retailer liability under Harper’s Law when safety kits are not included.
LG Electric Ranges Class Action (2025): A class action lawsuit alleges that front-mounted control knobs on LG electric ranges caused 28 fires, resulting in $340,000 in property damage and pet fatalities before a recall was issued. The case demonstrates how design defects can create fire hazards in everyday kitchen appliances.
SharkNinja Blender Lawsuit (2025): A lawsuit seeking $3.75 million for eye injuries caused by exploding blender components during normal use. The case highlights how manufacturing defects in countertop appliances can cause severe personal injuries.
Aroeve Air Purifiers Class Action (December 2024): A class action alleges false HEPA filtration claims that exposed users to particulate matter, exacerbating respiratory conditions. This case represents growing litigation over misleading health and safety claims for household products.
Electrolux Refrigerator Litigation: Ongoing litigation claims allege that defective shelving systems caused food spoilage and repair costs exceeding the products' value, showing how economic and health losses can result from household product failures.
While comprehensive recalls can sometimes limit class action claims, New York courts maintain scrutiny over recall effectiveness, particularly for household products requiring technical expertise to remediate. A recall doesn't automatically shield manufacturers from liability if:
Even if a product was recalled, if it caused significant injury, you may still be entitled to compensation. Contact the Porter Law Group to schedule a free consultation.
Defective household products can cause a wide range of injuries including burns, cuts, poisoning, electrocution, crushing injuries from tip-overs, and respiratory problems from contaminated air or water. If you've been injured by a defective household product, you may be entitled to compensation for:
In cases involving particularly reckless manufacturer conduct—such as continued sales after discovering defects or deliberate concealment of safety risks—punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar future conduct.
Under CPLR §214, New York requires product liability claims to be filed within three years of the injury date. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the fatality.
New York courts generally begin the clock when the injury occurs—not when you learn the product was defective. That’s why it’s essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an injury.
Our experienced product liability attorneys at the Porter Law Group will evaluate your case and walk you through your legal options to ensure that you can recover the best compensation possible.
Q: How do I know if my injury was caused by a defective household product?
Signs include malfunction during normal use, unexpected injuries, or performance that contradicts advertised claims. If you followed the product’s instructions and were still injured, the product may be defective. Our attorneys can investigate the issue and determine liability.
Q: Can I still file a lawsuit if the product was recalled after my injury?
Yes. Recalls issued after injuries can actually strengthen your case by providing evidence the manufacturer knew about the defect. You may also have claims for the manufacturer's failure to issue a timely recall.
Q: What if I modified or misused the product before getting injured?
You may still have a valid claim if the product was defective, even if you partially misused it. New York's comparative negligence law allows recovery even when you share some fault, though your damages may be reduced proportionally.
Q: Do I need to keep the defective product?
Yes, preserving the product is crucial for expert analysis. Don't throw it away, return it for repair, or allow it to be destroyed until our attorneys can arrange for proper examination by qualified experts.
Q: Can I sue if I didn’t purchase the product or received it as a gift?
Yes. Product liability law protects all users of defective products, not just original purchasers. You can pursue claims even if you didn't buy the product directly from the manufacturer or retailer.
Q: What if the product was made overseas?
Foreign manufacturing doesn't prevent you from filing suit in New York. We can pursue claims against importers, distributors, and retailers in the U.S. supply chain, even when the original manufacturer is overseas.
Q: How long do household product defect cases typically take?
Timeline varies depending on case complexity and whether it goes to trial. Some cases involving clear defects settle within months, while others requiring extensive technical analysis may take several years. We'll keep you informed throughout the process.
Q: What if multiple people were injured by the same defective product?
Widespread defects often lead to class action lawsuits or mass tort litigation, which can strengthen individual cases and improve settlement prospects by demonstrating the scope of the problem.
Suffering from an Injury Caused by a Defective Household Product in New York?
Reach out to our experienced team for a free consultation.
The lawyers at the Porter Law Group have decades of experience representing individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by catastrophic injuries. We have obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts throughout the State of New York. We are a state-wide firm that handles cases with a hometown feel.
Our clients come to us looking for guidance and answers. With seasoned trial lawyers, the Porter Law Group has the resources necessary to help you navigate the most complex cases, against goliath insurance companies that will stop at nothing to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve.
You only get one chance to hire the best lawyer for you and your family. Hire the lawyers most recommended by former clients and local attorneys, and the firm that obtains superior results.
When you or a loved one’s life has been devastated by a serious personal injury in New York, don’t hire a lawyer without calling the Porter Law Group to learn why so many of our clients are thankful they trusted us with their case in their time of need.
At the Porter Law Group, we understand that your home should be a safe haven, not a place where defective products put you and your family at risk. When manufacturers prioritize profits over safety, we're here to hold them accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.
Don't let powerful manufacturers minimize the harm caused by their defective household products. Our experienced New York product liability attorneys have the knowledge and resources to take on major companies and fight for your rights.
The household products you trust shouldn't cause harm to you or your loved ones. If a defective product has injured you, you deserve answers and compensation.
Take advantage of a free case evaluation by calling 833-PORTER9 or emailing info@porterlawteam.com. We proudly serve clients throughout New York State and are ready to help you pursue justice against those responsible for putting dangerous products in your home.
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