California Statute of Limitations for Defective Products
By Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed April 23, 2025
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Unfortunately, injuries resulting from properly using a product are common in America. These product injuries often stem from design defects in items placed into the stream of commerce. This can include anything from improperly designed appliances or devices to food contaminated with bacteria.
California product liability law has specific provisions to address these issues. If you suffer personal injury from a dangerous product due to a product defect, you must be aware of the statute of limitations.
In California, there is a time limit for filing a product liability lawsuit if you get injured by a defective product. You must file your claim within this time frame. This rule ensures you have a set period to get compensation for injuries from dangerous products. This summary overviews California's time limit for defective product claims.
If you have a defective product claim, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.
California Product Liability Statute of Limitations
California statutes of limitations for defective products set two different time frames. These time frames depend on whether the injury happened to a person or resulted in property damage. In general, an injured party can file a product liability claim against the product's manufacturer, designer, or seller. But people injured by a defective product have a time limit to file their claims. So, keeping track of the date of the injury is extremely important.
The following table outlines California's statute of limitations for product liability claims.
| Code sections | California Code - Chapter 3: The Time Of Commencing Actions Other Than For The Recovery Of Real Property |
|---|---|
| Product strict liability claim | Under California products strict liability law, a plaintiff must claim that they suffered harm by a product distributed, manufactured, or sold by the defendant that:
|
| Statute of limitations | Under California statutes of limitation for defective products, an action for an injury to, or for the wrongful death of, a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another must begin within two years. An action for taking, detaining, or injuring any goods or chattels, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property, must begin within three years. |
| When the clock starts running | The statute of limitation begins when the injured party knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known the injury happened. But in California there is also an exception to this rule known as the continuous accrual rule. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.
Have a Product Liability Case? Call a California Product Liability Attorney Today
Have you suffered an injury from a defective product? Are you concerned about the California statute of limitations for product liability claims? If so, you should seek legal advice from a California product liability lawyer. An attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through filing a legal claim. They can also help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries.
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