Products Liability Newsletters

Asbestos Litigation

For over forty years, asbestos litigation has been a part of the American judicial landscape. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been used in building materials for many years, often for insulation. While nearly everyone in the U.S. has been exposed to asbestos at some time, many people who are exposed to asbestos over a long period of time have become ill.

Defective Consumer Products

Most goods that you buy, except houses, motor vehicles, and large equipment, are consumer products. Consumer products are considered defective if they are improperly designed or manufactured or fail to warn the consumer of the product's dangers. Manufacturers of consumer products have a duty to sell safe products to consumers. If you are injured while using a defective consumer product, you may be able to recover damages from the manufacturer. This article covers the following consumer products: appliances, home products, clothing, lawn mowers, home power tools, and sports equipment.

Flammable Fabrics Act

The Flammable Fabrics Act covers clothing, children's sleepwear, and interior furnishings, as well as materials such as paper, plastic, and foam, which are used in wearing apparel and interior furnishings. Under the Flammable Fabrics Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission can issue mandatory flammability standards. Flammability standards have been established for clothing textiles, vinyl plastic film used in clothing, carpets, rugs, children's sleepwear, mattresses and mattress pads. Products that do not meet the Commission's flammability standards cannot be sold or distributed in interstate commerce. Consumers should know that a fabric that passes the federal flammability standards might still burn.

Product Liability Suits Involving Injury Caused by Altered Product

Products liability is an area of law dealing with personal injuries and property damage caused by products that are defectively designed or manufactured. A manufacturer has a duty to exercise ordinary care in designing and manufacturing a product. A product carries an implied promise that it is safe for its intended use.

The Food and Drug Administration's Prescription Drug Approval Process

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) regulates foods, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics. The Act established the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has responsibility to assure that new drugs are safe and effective.