Each year, dangerous and defective products result in thousands of injuries to both children and adults. The set of laws responsible for determining who shoulders legal responsibility for these products is referred to as product liability law.

Under product liability laws, responsibility for a dangerous or defective product lies with all sellers in the distribution chain. Thus, potentially liable parties include the manufacturer, a manufacturer of component parts, the wholesaler and the retail store that sold the product to the consumer.

The law states that products should meet the ordinary expectations of the consumer. Unexpected defects or dangers violate the consumer’s ordinary expectations about the product, therefore making the item subject to product liability claims.

• Examples of various product liability claims include:
• Hazardous children’s toys, clothing or other accessories.
• Dangerous appliances which injure users or bystanders
• Appliances and other electrical equipment which ignite or cause nearby materials to catch on fire
• Pharmaceuticals or other health care products that cause dangerous side-effects
• Medical devices which fail or which otherwise cause serious injury
• Vehicles which are unsafe to operate