Product Liability Resources

Product liability is the law about providing victims of dangerous or defective products with compensation for injuries suffered from the product. Both the federal government and non-profit organizations provide helpful resources to consumers about products that may be dangerous or defective. For more information about Product Liability generally, see FindLaw's Product Liability Law and Product Liability Legal Help sections.

While federal regulations set minimum safety standards for a variety of consumer products, such as cars and baby cribs, states can generally make more stringent requirements. In addition, various organizations and agencies, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, may make safety recommendations that aren’t necessarily required by law. Additionally, public news organizations and consumer watchdog groups offer valuable insights for consumers.

The following is a list of selected product liability resources, with a brief explanation of each:

• Consumer Guides and Protection - A through Z directory of consumer protection guides and advisories (USA.gov).
• Consumer Reports - Nonprofit organization that provides performance and safety reviews of various consumer products.
• Consumers Union - The policy and action side of Consumer Reports that works with consumer activists to pass consumer protection laws nationwide and encourage corporations to head in a better direction for consumers.
• Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) - Consumer product safety alerts, press releases, recalls, and more.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - The FDA is the government agency that protects consumers from unsafe foods and drugs. Its website includes links to news, product reports and approvals, and safety alerts.
• Food and Drug Law Institute - Examines the laws, regulations, and policies related to drugs, medical devices, other health care technologies, and food.
• FoodSafety.gov - Gateway to U.S. government food safety information, collecting information from the USDA, FDA, CDC, and other federal agencies so consumers can learn more about foodborne illnesses and ways to avoid becoming ill from tainted food.
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices - Covers medication errors, off-label prescriptions, frequently confused drug names, and more.
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - IIHS is a nonprofit organization that uses scientific research and outreach efforts to reduce highway accidents.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - Information about recalls of automobiles, child safety seats, and other vehicle-related consumer products, including a way to report safety related defects to these items.
• National Safety Council - This website features home, environment, transportation, and workplace safety resources for consumers and employers.
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - Objectively investigates accidents, advocates safety recommendations, and assists victims of transportation accidents.
• PBS's Breast Implants On Trial  - From PBS's Frontline series, includes news, documents, studies, and other information related to breast implant defects and litigation.
• Recalls.gov - Six federal agencies joined together to create a "one-stop shop" for US government recalls. Consumers can read about recent recalls, search for recalls, and report a dangerous product.
• SaferProducts.gov - Provides a searchable database of recalls and reports as well as a way to make reports to the CPSC about an unsafe product.

Please contact us to suggest any additional product liability resources for this section.