Product Liability
Americans use consumer products almost every hour of every day. The legal term “product” covers everything from cars to toys to food and drugs. While there are laws in place to prevent injuries from defective products, they often do not kick in until many individuals have already been hurt. When there is a mandatory product recall of a vehicle or infant safety seat, it is often because many people have already been hurt or killed. The law recognizes the special danger that is posed to consumers when they use a product. Therefore, the courts have generally held that when a consumer is injured by a product, the manufacturer is liable for the injuries unless the case fits into some very limited exceptions. Even if the product was not purchased directly from the manufacturer, the manufacturer is still liable for any damage the product causes.