The area of the law known as product liability is designed to protect consumers who have suffered injury from a defective product. Unfortunately in Texas, dangerous and unsafe products lead to injuries and harm each day in people's homes. Many consumer products, such as household electronics, household appliances and children's items may pose a danger.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 2009 and 2011, approximately 43,200 people were injured and required treatment in hospitals for product instability injuries related to televisions, furniture and appliances. Over half of these injuries were attributed to furniture instability and tip-over hazards. In 2012, an estimated 77,900 children under the age of five were injured by nursery products and required treatment in emergency rooms. Unfortunately, deaths may also occur due to consumer product hazards.
Because of the serious concern defective and dangerous products pose for the public, product liability laws are intended to protect consumers from harm. One way product liability law does this is by holding each party in the chain of distribution accountable for harm suffered by victims. According to product liability law, the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, and even the party that assembles or installs the defective or dangerous product may be liable to injured victims for the harm suffered as a consequence of the product.
There are different ways that a responsible party may be held liable, so it is important to understand the different options that may be available. If one suffers harm from a dangerous household or other product, it can have an extensive impact on the life of the victim and family members of the victim. At times the process can seem complex, but with the proper understanding of product liability law, the protections may be better realized to help injured victims.