Product Liability Resources

Product liability law governs injuries caused by dangerous and defective products. There are federal and state laws that help protect consumers. Additional resources from various non-profit organizations provide helpful resources to consumers as well.

For more information about Product Liability, see FindLaw's Product Liability Law and Product Liability Legal Help sections. These sections will help explain how product liability claims work. It will also discuss whether your case involves a warranty breach, negligence, or strict liability.

Federal regulations set safety standards for certain consumer products, such as cars and baby cribs. States can impose stricter requirements. There are also organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, that make safety recommendations.

Public news organizations and consumer watchdog groups offer valuable information. The following is a list of selected product liability resources:

• Consumer Guides and Protection - A through Z directory of consumer protection guides and advisories (USA.gov). This guide can help warn you about product defects and dangerous exposures.
• Consumer Reports - Nonprofit organization that provides performance and safety reviews of consumer products. Business owners do not want their customers to read negative information in publications, which is why consumer reports can be a valuable resource.
• Consumers Union - This division of Consumer Reports works with consumer activists to pass consumer protection laws.
• Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) - This site lists consumer product safety alerts, press releases, recalls, and more. It includes information on both manufacturing and design defects.
• Findlaw's State Statutes of Limitations - This page discusses how the statute of limitations impacts your product liability lawsuit. It also explains how long you have to file suit in each state. For example, you have three years to file your lawsuit in New York. However, in California, you only have two years.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - The FDA is the government agency that protects consumers from unsafe foods and drugs. Its website includes links to news, product reports and approvals, and safety alerts.
• Food and Drug Law Institute - The FDLI examines laws and regulations on drugs, medical devices, other healthcare technologies, and food. These laws apply to manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors.
• FoodSafety.gov - This offers a gateway to U.S. government food safety information. It collects information from the USDA, FDA, CDC, and other federal agencies. It helps you learn about foodborne illnesses and how to avoid food poisoning.
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices - This page covers medication errors, off-label prescriptions, frequently confused drug names, and more.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - IIHS is a nonprofit organization that uses scientific research and outreach efforts to reduce highway accidents.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - Information about recalls of automobiles, child safety seats, and other vehicle-related consumer products, including a way to report safety-related defects to these items.
• National Safety Council - This website features home, environment, transportation, and workplace safety resources for consumers and employers.
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - Objectively investigates accidents, advocates safety recommendations, and assists victims of transportation accidents.
• PBS Frontline - PBS's Frontline series includes news, documents, studies, and other information, including product defects and litigation.
• Recalls.gov - Six federal agencies joined to create a "one-stop shop" for US government recalls. Consumers can read about recent recalls, search for recalls, and report a dangerous product. These recalls will include both domestic companies and importers.
• SaferProducts.gov - Provides a searchable database of product recalls and reports and a way to make reports to the CPSC about an unsafe product.

Please contact us to suggest any additional product liability resources for this section.

A Product Liability Attorney Can Help

Contact an attorney immediately if you believe you have a valid product liability case. All types of products can hurt you. Perhaps a product's design makes it inherently dangerous. There could be a manufacturing defect that makes it unsafe.

A personal injury lawyer can help you pursue your claim. You want to ensure you hire a legal professional specializing in product liability litigation. Depending on the type of injury you suffered, you may be able to take part in a mass tort case or a class action lawsuit

The good news is that most manufacturers have general liability insurance. There's a good chance their insurance policy will include product liability coverage. Small businesses and other companies that manufacture consumer goods understand the risks of product liability lawsuits.

They should have product liability insurance to cover any damages suffered by their customers. Companies involved in manufacturing, distributing, or selling a product can purchase product liability business insurance that covers third-party bodily injuries and property damage caused by faulty products. It helps with the company's risk management.

Your lawyer will work hard to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. The defendant should have ample insurance coverage to settle your claim. You may be entitled to compensation if you suffered bodily injury or property damage. To find an attorney who handles product liability claims, visit Findlaw's attorney directory.