Americans buy and use a number of products every single day and often don't realize the risk of purchasing a defective or dangerous product. Product accidents are actually quite common. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent organization that works to protect the American public from dangerous consumer products receives over 10,000 complaints of defective products every year. Surprisingly, every year hundreds of people are killed as a result of defective and dangerous products in the marketplace. The CPSC reports over 22,000 deaths and 29 million injuries related to consumer products each year.
There are several federal agencies and organizations that regulate product liability. For example, the Federal Drug Administration is responsible for regulating pharmaceutical drugs, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is responsible for monitoring the safety of the cars and trucks on the roads and the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for regulating pesticides, rodenticides and fungicides. As a result, if you have been harmed a consumer product it can be difficult to figure out which agency to report your claim to.
Product liability laws were created to protect consumers from unsound products by making sure corporations, retailers and manufacturers are held responsible for negligent behavior, such as releasing dangerous products into the marketplace. Product liability law is different from ordinary injury law, and this set of rules sometimes makes it easier for an injured person to recover damages.
Product accidents can include damage caused by defective products, circumstances in which a corporation or company refuse to honor a warranty and situations in which unsafe products have been recalled by the manufacturer. Product liability law might also cover cases in which a company has failed to post clear warning labels on machinery or tools.
In many cases of product liability, corporations have pushed new products into the market before they have been properly tested and made safe for the public. These dangerous and defective products have the potential to cause serious injury to the unknowing consumer. A typical product liability case may deal with the following:
- Defective Machinery - This type of product liability not includes the functioning of machinery but also includes machinery that causes lead poisoning and has exposed the consumer to asbestos, carbon monoxide poisoning and other dangerous chemicals. - Defective Baby Equipment including broken or unsafe cribs, car seats that do not meet safety regulations and defective toys, swings and playpens. - Defective Electrical Equipment including escalators, conveyor belts, elevators, forklifts and any other defective machinery that does not function properly and causes injury - Motor Vehicle Defects including defective seat belts, air bags, car doors, Jeep rollovers and tire blowouts that often result in injury to the spinal cord.
It is important to deal with cases of product accidents and liability as soon as possible. If you feel you or a loved one have been a victim of a dangerous or defective product, it is necessary to contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your case. If a corporation or manufacturer is found responsible, you may be entitled to monetary compensation.
About the Author
Gary Susak has been a product liability lawyer in Portland, Oregon for over 35 years. The product liability attorneys at his law firm, we have 100 years combined experience. If you need the services of a personal injury lawyer, contact our offices for a free initial consultation.
