Consumer Protection Laws

Tort law protects people from getting hurt by products that are unsafe or broken. If a company is careless and causes someone to get hurt or damage their property, like a toaster that catches fire, the person who was hurt can sue for damages. Tort law works as a deterrent, encouraging businesses to follow safety rules and quality control steps. 

A recent example of a major tort violation involves Johnson & Johnson, which has faced thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc-based products caused cancer. According to a 2024 Wall Street Journal report, the company is pursuing an $8 billion settlement to address these mass tort claims. This case illustrates how tort law holds even the largest corporations accountable when products allegedly cause harm, reinforcing the importance of strict safety standards and honest disclosure. Read More..

Product liability goes beyond just being careless. This doctrine holds manufacturers, distributors and retailers accountable for selling defective products, regardless of the precautions they may have taken. Design flaws (features that are dangerous by nature), manufacturing flaws (something went wrong during production) or labeling flaws (warnings that are missing or unclear) can all cause problems. The company may be responsible if a child's toy has small parts that can come off but doesn't have a choking hazard label.

Product liability also applies around the world because many businesses sell and operate in other countries. A flaw in one country can lead to lawsuits, recalls and safety investigations in other countries. Recent events, like the one covered by The Scottish Sun where a cell phone caught fire while charging overnight, show how a single product failure can make people around the world worry about safety and make brands responsible for damages in other countries. Read More..