Some persons or companies may be held “strictly liable” for certain activities or products that harm others, even if it can’t be shown they acted negligently or with intent. This theory is important because it protects the community from dangerous products or activities and provides relief for injuries. Strict liability is applied to two different situations which the public should be made aware. These are strict products liability and liability for people engaged in “ultra hazardous activities.”
Strict products liability is applied against merchants of a product who sell abnormally dangerous products. A product may be abnormally dangerous because there is a defect it its design such as a faulty brake pedal, or simply because it lacked adequate warnings. A product may also be abnormally dangerous because of a manufacturing defect which resulted in a single defective product entering the stream of commerce. An example of this is a soda bottle entering the stream of commerce that contains a glass shard. In either case, both the manufacturer and merchant are liable for the sustained injuries that were foreseeable at the time the product was designed and manufactured. It is important to note, casual sellers of products such as those who host garage sales will not be strictly liable as merchants.
Strict liability is also used to protect the public from ultra hazardous activities. An ultra hazardous activity is one that involves a risk of serious harm which cannot be eliminated by the exercise of utmost care. Classic examples of ultra hazardous activities include blasting using dynamite or keeping wild animals. The person who engages in an ultra hazardous activity will be liable for all damage and injuries resulting from the activity regardless of whether they took every single possible precaution imaginable.
If you have been injured by a defective product or as the result of an ultra hazardous activity, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney immediately. Injury claims are limited by a state’s statute of limitations and failure to file within this period may result in the forfeiture of your claim.
A class action is a case brought against a company whose actions have damaged many people in a similar way. If the case results in a successful recovery, either through settlement or trial, all class members receive their portion of the amount paid by the wrongdoers.
Absolutely. There have been many successful class actions brought by consumers. Signs of consumer fraud include:
When doctors prescribe drugs they usually take great care to explain the potential side effects you may experience. These warnings are repeated by a pharmacist when you pick up your drugs, and persist on the lengthy warnings labels included with every prescription. These warning labels have been approved by the FDA, often after years of rigorous trials and testing. Drug companies can spend hundreds of millions on drug development which makes the prospect of being denied FDA approval daunting. As a result, drug companies may be inclined to hide or lie about potential side effects of drugs endangering the public.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Passed by Congress in 1975, the Act requires manufacturers and sellers of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage. In addition, it affects both the rights of consumers and the obligations of warrantors under written warranties.
The Act makes it easier for purchasers to sue for breach of warranty by making breach of warranty a violation of federal law, and by allowing consumers to recover court costs and reasonable attorneys` fees. This means that if you lose a lawsuit for breach of either a written or an implied warranty, you may have to pay the customer`s costs for bringing the suit, including lawyer`s fees.
Because of the stringent federal jurisdictional requirements under the Act, most MagnusonMoss lawsuits are brought in state court. However, major cases involving many consumers can be brought in federal court as class action suits under the Act.
Although the consumer lawsuit provisions may have little effect on your warranty or your business, they are important to remember if you are involved in warranty disputes.
Bisphenol A, also called BPA, is a chemical used to make certain types of plastic infant bottles and other plastic products. Scientific studies have found a possible link between exposure to BPA and severe developmental disorders, particularly in newborn children.
Over time, BPA can seep into the body and reach dangerously high levels, where it can disrupt hormones and increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes in adults. Children may be exposed to harmful levels of BPA when they drink milk or eat baby food that is warmed in plastic cups or bottles made with the chemical, leading to permanent and serious injuries.
Because of concerns about children's injuries caused by exposure to BPA, many state and local governments across the United States have imposed bans on infant bottles and other children's products containing the chemical. Also, in 2009, major manufacturers of infant bottles announced they would no longer make products using BPA.
This article is intended to be helpful and informative. But even common legal matters can become complex and stressful. A qualified product liability lawyer can address your particular legal needs, explain the law, and represent you in court. Take the first step now and contact an attorney in your area from our directory to discuss your specific legal situation.