White Plains Product Liability Lawyers | Billy Cooper Law

Representing People Injured By Dangerous And Defective Products Across Westchester County, The Bronx, Rockland County & NYC

We all rely on products every day—cars, smartphones, appliances, medical devices, tools, children’s toys. We trust that if something is sold to us, it’s been designed, tested, and manufactured with safety in mind. When that trust is broken and a defective or dangerous product causes a serious injury, the consequences can be life-changing.

At Billy Cooper Law, our White Plains product liability lawyers represent individuals and families who have been hurt by unsafe products. We take on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers whose products fail, explode, ignite, break, poison, contaminate, or simply do not perform as a reasonably safe product should.

If a product injured you or someone you love, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag for medical bills, lost income, and long-term complications. We are here to help you pursue accountability and full compensation.

Product liability cases pit injured individuals against some of the largest corporations in the world—companies with vast resources and teams of defense attorneys. At Billy Cooper Law, we level that playing field with decades of experience and a proven track record.

Marvin Cooper’s Legacy in Product Liability Law

Founding partner Marvin A. Cooper brings over 50 years of experience representing injured New Yorkers. His work assisting in drafting Article 51 of the New York Insurance Law in 1973—the No Fault system—demonstrates the institutional knowledge that strengthens every case our firm handles.

Lead trial counsel William H. Cooper, recognized by Super Lawyers in 2024 and 2025, has secured over $41 million in verdicts and settlements. His willingness to take cases to trial sends a clear message to manufacturers and their insurers: we don’t accept lowball offers, and we have the courtroom experience to prove it.

When you’re facing a corporation that prioritized profits over safety, you need attorneys who have spent decades holding them accountable.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability is the area of law that holds companies responsible when they release defective or unreasonably dangerous products into the marketplace. Unlike a typical negligence case, many product claims are based on strict liability—meaning you don’t have to prove the manufacturer was careless, only that the product was defective and caused your injury.

A products case can involve:

• Design defects
• Manufacturing defects
• Failure to warn / inadequate warnings
• Breach of warranty

We pursue claims against:

• Manufacturers
• Component-part manufacturers
• Distributors and wholesalers
• Retailers and big-box stores

Types Of Defective Product Cases We Handle

At Billy Cooper Law, we handle a wide range of product liability claims, including:

• Defective products causing burns, fractures, electric shocks, or catastrophic injuries
• Design defects making an entire product line inherently unsafe
• Manufacturing defects affecting individual units or specific batches
• Failure to warn about hidden dangers, side effects, or misuse risks
• Breach of warranty when products don’t perform as safely and reliably as promised

Whether your case involves a single device in your home or a product that has harmed thousands of people nationwide, we’re prepared to help.

Defective Products: The Big Picture

A product can be defective at multiple points in its life cycle—on the drawing board, on the factory floor, or in the marketing department.

Common categories of defective products include:

Automobiles and auto parts:

• Defective brakes
• Faulty airbags
• Tire blowouts
• Steering and fuel system defects

These defects can cause serious motor vehicle accidents with devastating consequences.

Medical devices and implants:

• Faulty joint replacements
• Defective pacemakers or cardiac devices
• Hernia or pelvic mesh failures
• Infusion pumps and monitoring equipment

Defective medical devices can also give rise to medical malpractice claims when healthcare providers fail to respond appropriately.

Pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter drugs:

• Dangerous side effects not properly disclosed
• Contaminated or adulterated medicines
• Inadequate warnings about interactions or risks

Consumer electronics and appliances:

• Lithium-ion battery fires or explosions
• Overheating chargers and cables
• Defective wiring in household appliances

Children’s products and toys:

• Choking hazards from small parts
• Toxic materials in paint or plastics
• Unstable cribs, strollers, or high chairs

When these products fail, the result can be burns, fractures, amputations, organ damage, toxic exposures, or even wrongful death.

Design Defects

A design defect means the product is unreasonably dangerous from the start—even when it’s made exactly according to plan. Every unit that follows that design is potentially hazardous.

Examples include:

• A vehicle that tends to roll over during normal turns
• A medical device whose shape or materials cause unexpected tissue damage
• A space heater design that easily tips and ignites nearby materials
• A power tool without basic safety guards that should have been included

Our Approach To Design Defect Cases

• Comprehensive design review with engineers and industry experts
• Comparison to safer alternative designs that were feasible at the time
• Analysis of internal documents (testing data, emails, prior complaints)
• Proof that a safer design would have significantly reduced the risk

If a product is fundamentally unsafe because of the way it was engineered, we aim to hold every responsible company accountable.

Manufacturing Defects

A manufacturing defect occurs when a correctly designed product is built incorrectly—something went wrong on the line, in the plant, or in the supply chain.

Examples include:

• Using substandard materials instead of the specified grade
• Incorrect assembly of a critical component (e.g., brake line, fastener)
• Contamination of food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals during production
• Defective batteries, wiring, or welds that compromise product stability

These defects may affect a single unit, a batch, or an entire production run.

Our Approach To Manufacturing Defect Cases

• Inspection of the defective product by engineers and forensic experts
• Review of production records and quality-control protocols
• Analysis of recall notices, prior incidents, and regulatory investigations
• Linking the specific defect to your specific injury

In many manufacturing defect cases, we pursue strict liability, meaning we focus on the defect and the harm—not on whether the manufacturer “meant well.”

Failure To Warn & Inadequate Instructions

Sometimes the problem isn’t how the product was designed or built, but what the company didn’t tell you about its risks.

A failure to warn claim arises when:

• A product has hidden dangers that are not obvious to the average user
• The manufacturer fails to provide adequate warnings or instructions
• Proper warnings would have allowed the user (or a doctor) to avoid the injury

Examples include:

• Medications without clear warnings about serious side effects or drug interactions
• Power tools sold without adequate instructions on safety guards and PPE
• Cleaning products without warnings about toxic fumes or ventilation needs
• Toys that don’t warn about choking hazards or age restrictions

Our Approach To Failure-To-Warn Cases

• Review of product labels, manuals, ads, and marketing materials
• Comparison to industry standards and regulatory guidance
• Expert testimony on what a reasonable consumer or professional would need to know
• Proof that proper warnings would have changed how the product was used

Effective warnings save lives. When companies choose silence or vague language instead of clear safety information, we step in.

Breach Of Warranty

Products don’t just come with instructions—they often come with promises, whether written or implied by law. When those promises are broken and someone gets hurt, a breach of warranty claim may be available.

Types of warranties:

Express warranties: Specific statements in ads, packaging, or manuals about performance or safety.

Implied warranty of merchantability: The product should be reasonably safe and fit for ordinary use.

Implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose: When a seller recommends a product for a specific use knowing you’re relying on their expertise.

Common breach of warranty scenarios:

• A “shatterproof” or “flame-resistant” product fails exactly in that way
• A “medical-grade” or “surgical-grade” device fails under ordinary use
• A “safe for children” item exposes kids to serious hazards

Our Approach To Breach Of Warranty Cases

• Review of all written warranties, marketing, and labeling
• Analysis of how the product actually performed vs. what was promised
• Proof that the failure caused your injuries and losses

Breach of warranty claims often run alongside strict liability and negligence theories, giving us multiple pathways to recovery.

What Compensation Can You Recover In A Product Liability Case?

When a defective product causes serious harm, the financial and personal impact can be enormous. Depending on the case, compensation may include:

Medical expenses:

• Emergency care and hospitalization
• Surgeries and follow-up treatment
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Medications and medical equipment

Future medical and care needs:

• Long-term treatment plans
• Home health aides and nursing care
• Life-care planning for catastrophic injuries

Lost income and loss of earning capacity:

• Time missed from work during recovery
• Reduced ability to work in the future
• Total disability in severe cases

Pain and suffering:

• Physical pain, limitations, and discomfort
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inability to participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities
• Impact on relationships and independence

Wrongful death damages (for families who’ve lost a loved one):

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support and companionship

We work with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to fully capture both the current and future cost of a product-related injury.

Large manufacturers have enormous resources to defend product liability claims. They employ teams of lawyers, engineers, and expert witnesses whose job is to minimize payouts and protect corporate interests.

At Billy Cooper Law, we match that firepower. Our attorneys have decades of experience taking on major corporations and securing meaningful results for our clients. We invest the time, resources, and expertise necessary to build cases that can withstand aggressive defense tactics.

When a corporation puts a dangerous product on the market, they’re betting that injured consumers won’t have the resources to fight back. We make sure that bet doesn’t pay off.

How Billy Cooper Law Builds A Product Liability Case

Product cases are often complex, technical, and hard-fought. We know how to navigate that terrain.

1. Free Case Evaluation We start by listening. We’ll review what happened, how you were hurt, and whether a defective product may be to blame.

2. Evidence & Product Analysis We secure and preserve the product, gather photos, witness statements, recall notices, and any available incident reports.

3. Expert Investigation We work with:

• Engineers and product designers
• Safety and industry experts
• Medical professionals and specialists

They help us identify the defect, explain how it caused your injuries, and evaluate safer alternatives.

4. Identifying All Liable Parties We look beyond the brand name on the box to the real players:

• Manufacturers
• Component suppliers
• Distributors and wholesalers
• Retailers and big-box stores

5. Negotiation & Litigation We negotiate aggressively with corporate defendants and their insurers. If they refuse to take responsibility, we’re fully prepared to take your case into litigation and, when necessary, to trial.

6. Ongoing Client Support We keep you informed at every step, help you deal with medical billing issues, and remain available to answer your questions from day one through final resolution.

Why Choose Billy Cooper Law For Your Product Liability Case?

• Deep experience with complex injury and liability cases
• Access to top experts in engineering, product design, safety, and medicine
• Client-centered approach focused on your needs, your goals, and your future
• Relentless advocacy against corporations and insurance companies
• Proven track record of securing meaningful financial recoveries

You are not just another “claim” to us. You’re a person whose life was disrupted by a product that never should have been on the market in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if I have a product liability case?

A: If you were injured while using a product as intended (or in a reasonably foreseeable way), and the injury resulted from a defect in design, manufacturing, or warnings, you may have a claim. You don’t need to prove the company was careless—only that the product was defective and that defect caused your harm. Our free case evaluation can help determine whether you have a viable claim.

Q: What should I do if I’ve been injured by a defective product?

A: First, seek medical attention for your injuries. Then, preserve the product and its packaging—do not throw it away, repair it, or return it to the manufacturer. Take photographs of the product, your injuries, and the scene where the incident occurred. Keep all receipts, manuals, and documentation. Then contact an experienced product liability attorney as soon as possible.

Q: Can I sue if the product was recalled after my injury?

A: Yes. A recall actually strengthens many product liability cases because it demonstrates that the manufacturer acknowledged the product was dangerous. The timing of the recall relative to your injury may affect certain aspects of your case, but a recall does not prevent you from pursuing compensation.

Q: What if I was partly at fault for my injury?

A: New York follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for your injury. Your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from making a claim. We’ll evaluate the circumstances of your case and advise you on how comparative fault may apply.

Q: How long do I have to file a product liability lawsuit in New York?

A: In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including product liability, is three years from the date of injury. However, certain circumstances may affect this deadline. If your case involves wrongful death, different deadlines apply. Consulting with an attorney promptly ensures you don’t miss critical filing deadlines.

Q: What if multiple people were injured by the same product?

A: When a defective product injures many people, cases may be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) or class action lawsuits. However, individual lawsuits often produce better results for seriously injured plaintiffs. We’ll evaluate your situation and recommend the approach most likely to maximize your recovery.

Contact Our White Plains Product Liability Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective or dangerous product, you don’t have to face the manufacturer—or their legal team—on your own.

Contact Billy Cooper Law today for a free, confidential consultation.

We’ll review your situation, explain your rights, and outline a strategy to pursue the compensation you need for medical care, lost income, and a safer future.

You trusted the product. Now let us fight to hold its makers accountable.