Not every product-related injury qualifies as a product liability case, and a Washington, DC product liability lawyer plays a critical role in determining when an injury crosses the line into a viable legal claim. These real-world examples of defective product cases help clarify what legally actionable product liability actually look like in practice.
With nearly 200 years of combined experience, Regan Zambri Long is regarded as one of the Best Law Firms in America. Our board-certified partners are named among the nation’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and we have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients, including eight-figure defective product recoveries of $15.2 million, $14 million, and $10 million. Our product liability lawyers have the resources and trial skills to take on large corporations, cover all case costs, and work with top engineering, medical, and industry experts to build strong claims.
If a mislabeled product injured you or didn’t provide adequate warnings, you may have a lawsuit against the company that manufactured or sold it. Contact Regan Zambri Long and one of our attorneys will personally call you back. We’re available 24/7, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
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Defective products can strike any market, from tools and equipment to toys and food. The Insurance Information Institute reported that the average product liability award in 2022 was over $7 million. Recent high-stakes product liability litigation in 2025 has resulted in several multimillion- and multibillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, including a $3 billion punitive damages award in a tainted bottled water case, highlighting how significant payouts continue to shape corporate accountability.
Many industries in the DC Metro area have been involved in major defective product lawsuits nationwide, highlighting the need for consumer awareness and solid legal representation.
In 2006, General Motors (GM) was ordered to pay over $100 million to vehicle owners because of defective car engines. The faulty products caused breakdowns, property damage, and car accidents. By hiding the product defect, GM put each consumer at risk of severe injury or even death.
GM continued to face legal problems regarding its motor vehicles, as class action lawsuits were filed for defective car parts including ignition switches, intake manifold gaskets, windshield wipers, and fuel pumps.
GM was liable for negligence, since the company failed to manufacture and distribute safe products, and failed to promptly initiate a recall once the defects were identified.
In 2025, GM agreed to a $150 million class action settlement involving allegations that certain Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles were equipped with defective engine components that caused excessive oil consumption and premature engine wear. Vehicle owners claimed the internal piston assembly defects led to engine damage, reduced performance, and costly repairs. A federal court granted final approval of the settlement, allowing eligible owners and lessees of affected vehicles in multiple states to seek compensation.
Roundup Weed Killer has been linked to cancer for years. Many victims have been involved in a lawsuit against Monsanto (the company that sells Roundup Weed Killer). Settlement payouts have ranged from $5,000 to $250,000, depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries and illnesses.
Many lawsuits, including Monsanto’s, fall under failure to warn liability. Companies have a responsibility to warn consumers of the risks associated with the product, even when properly used.
In 2025, a Georgia jury ordered Monsanto’s parent company Bayer to pay approximately $2.1 billion in damages to a plaintiff who claimed that prolonged exposure to Roundup led to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages. This verdict is among the largest in the ongoing series of cases alleging that Bayer and Monsanto failed to adequately warn consumers about the cancer risks associated with glyphosate-based weed killers.
Some of the largest product liability lawsuits have been against major tobacco companies. In 1999, the Department of Justice sued big tobacco companies for not being forthcoming about the deadly effects of smoking cigarettes. Later, the American Cancer Society sued the tobacco companies for lying and failing to warn the public about the dangers of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke.
Since tobacco companies failed to provide adequate warnings, many victims developed lung cancer. Victims recovered financial compensation through class-action lawsuits.
Dow Corning, a company that marketed products like sealants, rubbers, lubricants, and silicone, had to pay $3.2 billion to settle claims filed against them. The claims were filed by women who fell ill due to their silicone breast implants. Claimants maintained that the company failed to warn them of the risks associated with the implants.
It’s now well known that asbestos exposure is linked to a type of cancer called mesothelioma. Over the years, countless lawsuits have held companies, employers, and manufacturers accountable for exposure to materials containing asbestos.
Depending on the case, negligence, breach of warranty, or strict liability can come into play. In strict liability cases, the inherent danger of the product outweighs any care a company takes in design or manufacturing.
According to recent litigation data, mesothelioma claims continue to result in significant financial outcomes. In 2024, the average mesothelioma settlement ranged from $1 million to $2 million, while the average jury verdict reached approximately $20.7 million. These figures reflect the serious nature of asbestos-related illnesses and the substantial liability faced by companies found responsible for exposing workers and consumers to asbestos-containing products.
Talc is a mineral found in baby powder and many makeup products. Johnson & Johnson, a giant pharmaceutical company, failed to warn consumers that talc contained asbestos. Women who were using baby powder developed ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay millions of dollars to the victims for selling a dangerous product. The company was found liable for a breach of warranty because its claims about the products safety were false.
In 2025, a Minnesota jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $65.5 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma after long-term use of the company’s talcum powder products. In another 2025 case, a California jury awarded $40 million to two women who claimed that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products contributed to their ovarian cancer diagnoses.
The Supreme Court has made it easier to sue corporations for defective products, but everyday products still routinely injure consumers. Common defectively manufactured or designed products include:
Types of product liability cases include negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. What you need to prove depends on the type of liability involved.
Call Regan Zambri Long today to speak with our expert attorneys about pursuing your defective product case in the DC Metro area.
In addition to products that consumers can access on their own, medical products and devices can pose risks, as well. Different types of defective and unsafe medical devices include:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the power to recall medical devices that are faulty and harmful to consumers. If a company has voluntarily recalled a medical device, it must inform the FDA that it is unsafe for consumption. The FDA also provides an updated list of all recalled devices, with 124 active recalls as of January 2026.
If you were injured by a defective medical product, contact the DC product liability attorneys at Regan Zambri Long. Our lawyers will file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical providers, the medical device manufacturer, and any other negligent party involved.
While no law states that you must have legal representation for your DC Metro injury lawsuit, it is advantageous to find a good product liability lawyer to stand by your side. Our product liability lawyers at Regan Zambri Long will help you recover maximum compensation for your medical expenses and losses.
At Regan Zambri Long, we make ourselves available to you constantly. We will answer questions, soothe fears, and give hope. We are invested in our communities and treat our clients like extended family.
Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay any legal fees until we’ve made a recovery in your favor.
Our approach is backed by results. We have achieved more than $1 billion in personal injury recoveries, including multimillion-dollar outcomes in defective product liability cases such as:
When you call Regan Zambri Long for your product liability case, you can rest assured that:
Call today to speak with one of our experienced DC personal injury lawyers. We will walk you through our process, arm you with knowledge of your case, and ensure you are financially compensated for the injuries sustained.
It can be difficult to sue a negligent company on your own. Contact Regan Zambri Long to learn how we can help you secure maximum compensation for your losses in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.