New federal consumer law may allow more lawsuits for defective products
Congress recently passed legislation to revamp the Consumer Product Safety Commission and help injured consumers recover damages for defective products.
The Washington Business Journal has the story. The legislation is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040).
Apparently, the law will allow private lawyers and state attorneys general to sue manufacturers who have produced defective and unsafe products. The law also protects whistle blowers who report manufacturing safety violations. An online consumer complaint database will also be set up so consumers will know what products have been reported as altered, defective or unsafe.
This legislation appears to be a good step towards protecting consumers from dangerous products. Recent news reports of defective, altered and unsafe products clearly demonstrate the need for consumer lawyers to have better access to the civil justice system to hold unscrupulous or negligent manufacturers and business liable for their defective products.
Our firm helps people who have been injured by defective or unsafe products and we look forward to using this new law to help our clients recover damages and enforce safety regulations. If you have a product liability claim for a defective product, you may benefit from this new law. If you have any questions, you may contact our firm to discuss the case with one of our trial attorneys.
