Product liability cases in Nevada involve ordinary things people use every day. Nevada’s leading decisions have involved a bottled beverage, passenger vehicles, an SUV roof, and cigarettes. In each type of case, the central question is whether the product was defective and whether the defect caused harm.
This guide looks at the products behind those claims, what the court cases say about the law, and which federal agency tracks safety for each product type.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada product liability law developed through cases involving common consumer goods.
- Product claims can involve food, vehicles, medications, medical devices, and household items.
- Different federal agencies oversee different kinds of products.
- A product does not have to be recalled to be the subject of a claim.
- Past decisions explain the law, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What Do Nevada Product Liability Cases Involve?
| Nevada case | Product | Legal point |
|---|---|---|
| Shoshone Coca-Cola v. Dolinski (1966) | Bottled beverage | Strict liability without negligence or a contract |
| Stackiewicz v. Nissan (1984) | Passenger car | An unexpected, dangerous malfunction may support a prima facie case of defect |
| Jeep Corp. v. Murray (1985) | Jeep CJ-5 | Post-accident remedial measures may be admissible in strict liability |
| Rivera v. Philip Morris (2009) | Cigarettes | No heeding presumption in failure-to-warn claims |
| Ford Motor Co. v. Trejo (2017) | SUV roof | Consumer-expectation test; no required proof of a safer alternative design |
These decisions are described for their legal points only. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Which Everyday Products Can Lead to Claims?
- Vehicles and parts. Tires, brakes, airbags, seat belts, and roofs. See our defective products page.
- Household products. Appliances, furniture, heaters, and batteries.
- Children’s products. Toys, cribs, car seats, and strollers.
- Tools and equipment. Power tools, ladders, and machinery.
- Food and beverages. Contaminated items or foreign objects.
- Medications and medical devices. Drugs, implants, and other devices.
A claim depends on the specific product and facts, not its category.
Which Agency Tracks Each Product Type?
| Product type | Agency | What you can check |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer products | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | CPSC recalls and warnings |
| Vehicles, tires, car seats | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | NHTSA recall search by VIN |
| Drugs and medical devices | U.S. Food and Drug Administration | FDA recall information |
What Do These Cases Have in Common?
In each type of case, a plaintiff generally must show that the product was defective, that the defect existed when the product left the defendant’s hands, and that the defect caused the injury. The defect may lie in the design, the manufacture, or the warnings. See whether you can sue for a brain injury for how these issues arise with serious injuries.
What Evidence Is Used in Product Liability Cases?
- The product itself, in its post-incident condition
- Photos, video, and packaging
- Purchase records and serial numbers
- Expert inspection and testing
- Company design, testing, and complaint records, obtained in discovery
- Medical records
How Long Do You Have to Bring a Claim?
Nevada generally allows 2 years to sue for personal injury under NRS 11.190(4)(e), and 3 years for injury to personal property under NRS 11.190(3)(c). Exceptions can apply, and a lawyer can explain which deadline fits your situation.
Talk With a Nevada Defective Product Lawyer
Vaksman Khalfin, PC handles Nevada defective product claims and has an office in Las Vegas. A lawyer can review your situation and explain the options that may be available. Contact us or visit our Nevada defective products page to learn more.
General information, not legal advice. This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page or contacting the firm. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Reviewed by Robert B. Vaksman, Partner, Vaksman Khalfin, PC (admitted in Nevada). Last reviewed: 11/05/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada examples include Shoshone Coca-Cola v. Dolinski, which involved a bottled beverage, and Ford Motor Co. v. Trejo, which involved an SUV roof. These cases explain how the law works.
Claims usually fall into three types: design defects, manufacturing defects, and failures to warn. Many cases involve more than one theory.
No. A claim depends on whether the product was defective and caused your injury. A product can be the subject of a claim without any recall.
Keeping the product, its packaging, and any manuals, without repairing or altering it, can be critical. Photos and purchase records can also help. A lawyer can explain the next steps.
