Local Wichita Product Liability Lawyers Near You

When a product you trusted causes serious injury, the consequences can be life-changing. Defective products cause thousands of injuries every year, and the companies that made them have teams of lawyers ready to defend against claims. Bretz Injury Law represents people in Wichita and throughout Kansas who have been harmed by dangerous or defective products, bringing over 30 years of trial experience to hold manufacturers accountable.

Product liability cases are complex. They require an understanding of engineering, manufacturing processes, safety regulations, and how large corporations defend themselves in court. Attorney Matthew Bretz began his career working on the defense side of catastrophic injury cases, which means he knows exactly how manufacturers and their insurers build their defense strategies.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability is the area of law that holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible when a product injures someone. Under Kansas law, companies that place products into the market have a duty to make sure those products are safe for their intended use. When they fail in that duty and someone is hurt, the injured person has the right to seek compensation.

Unlike many personal injury claims, product liability cases often involve strict liability. This means you do not always have to prove the company was careless. In some cases, you only need to show that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury.

What types of product defects lead to liability?

There are three main types of product defects recognized under the law. Each one involves a different kind of failure by the company responsible for the product.

• Design defects occur when a product is dangerous because of the way it was designed, even before it is built
• Manufacturing defects happen when a product is made incorrectly or with substandard materials, making it different from the intended design
• Marketing defects involve a failure to warn consumers about known risks or a failure to provide proper instructions for safe use

Understanding which type of defect caused your injury is critical to building a strong case. Each defect type requires different evidence and expert analysis.

Our Nearby Wichita Personal Injury Law Firm

Bretz Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer Wichita
225 N Market St Suite 345
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (620) 662-3435

Common Dangerous Products That Cause Serious Injuries

Defective products come in many forms. Some are everyday household items. Others are complex machines or medical devices. Bretz Injury Law handles product liability claims involving a wide range of dangerous products in Kansas.

Common products involved in liability claims include defective auto parts such as tires, brakes, and airbags. Dangerous pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices also cause serious harm. Defective power tools, industrial equipment, children’s products, household appliances, and recreational equipment are all sources of product injury claims.

When a product fails and causes harm, the injuries are often severe. Burns, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries are common in product liability cases. In the worst situations, a defective product causes a wrongful death.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Defective Product?

One of the most important aspects of a product liability case is identifying every party in the chain of distribution. Responsibility does not always fall on a single company. Multiple parties may share liability for a defective product.

The product designer, the manufacturer, the company that assembled the product, the distributor, and the retailer who sold it to you may all bear some responsibility. In some cases, a component part maker is liable when a single part within a larger product fails and causes injury.

Identifying the right defendants requires thorough investigation. Bretz Injury Law works with engineers, safety experts, and industry specialists to trace the defect back to its source and determine who should be held accountable.

Why Product Liability Cases Require Trial-Ready Representation

Large manufacturers and their insurance companies fight product liability claims aggressively. They hire teams of defense lawyers and expert witnesses to argue that the product was safe or that the injured person misused it. These companies have significant financial resources and are prepared for long legal battles.

This is why your attorney must be genuinely prepared to take your case to trial. When a manufacturer knows your lawyer will not back down, they take settlement negotiations seriously. Bretz Injury Law prepares every product liability case as though it will go before a jury. That preparation creates real leverage.

Matthew Bretz spent the early years of his career on the defense side of catastrophic injury litigation, including work at a prominent Los Angeles firm handling complex cases. He understands how corporations build their defenses, what evidence they try to suppress, and where their arguments are weakest. He now uses that knowledge to fight for injured consumers.

Proving a Product Liability Claim in Kansas

To succeed in a product liability case, you must establish several key elements. Your attorney must show that the product was defective, that the defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control, that you were using the product in a reasonably foreseeable way, and that the defect directly caused your injuries.

What evidence is needed in a product liability case?

Evidence in these cases often includes the defective product itself, which should be preserved in its post-accident condition. Medical records documenting your injuries are essential. Expert testimony from engineers and safety professionals helps explain how the defect occurred and why it was dangerous.

Photographs of the product and the accident scene, purchase records, product manuals and warnings, recall notices, and prior complaints about the same product all strengthen your claim. Your attorney may also obtain internal company documents through the discovery process that reveal the manufacturer knew about the defect.

Is there a time limit to file a product liability claim in Kansas?

Kansas has a statute of limitations that restricts how long you have to file a product liability lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a product injury so that critical evidence is preserved and your legal rights are protected.

Compensation in Product Liability Cases

Injuries caused by defective products often result in significant medical expenses, lost income, and long-term physical limitations. Kansas law allows injured consumers to seek compensation for the full scope of their damages.

You may be able to recover past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases involving a defective product, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence against the manufacturer, and how a jury would view the facts. Matthew Bretz evaluates every case with a clear, honest assessment of what it is worth and what it will take to get there.

Contact us online or give our Wichita office a call at (620) 662-3435 to schedule your free case evaluation with a slip and fall accident attorney who puts your best interests first.

What to Do After a Product Injury

If you have been injured by a product you believe was defective, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights. First, seek medical attention for your injuries right away. Your health is the priority, and medical records create an important link between the product and your harm.

Preserve the product in its current condition. Do not throw it away, repair it, or return it to the store. Take photographs of the product, your injuries, and anything else related to the incident. Keep all packaging, receipts, manuals, and warranty information. Then contact a product liability attorney who can begin investigating your claim.

Bretz Injury Law proudly serves the residents of Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal, Hays, Topeka, and Kansas City for product liability and personal injury claims throughout Kansas.

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Schedule a Free Consultation With Bretz Injury Law

If you or a family member has been seriously injured by a dangerous or defective product in Wichita or anywhere in Kansas, Bretz Injury Law is ready to evaluate your case. Attorney Matthew Bretz brings over 30 years of litigation experience and a unique understanding of how manufacturers defend these claims.

There are no upfront fees. Bretz Injury Law handles product liability cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery. Call (620) 662-3435 or submit a consultation request online to discuss your product injury case today.