Why Product Liability Cases Matter

Every time we purchase or use a product, we expect it to be safe. Whether it’s the car we drive, the appliances in our homes, or the toys we give our children, there is an assumption of trust that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have done their part to protect us. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

When products are defective or unreasonably dangerous, the results can be devastating. From car parts that fail at high speeds to electronics that catch fire, the harm caused by unsafe products goes beyond inconvenience—it can result in serious injuries, financial hardship, and even loss of life. Product liability class action cases hold companies accountable when profit is placed above consumer safety. These lawsuits not only seek compensation for victims but also drive systemic change, leading to safer products for everyone.

Types of Product Liability Cases

Product liability law generally falls into three key categories. Each represents a different way in which a product can fail the public:

1. Defective Design

• This occurs when the problem exists before the product is even manufactured. A design defect means that the product is inherently unsafe, no matter how carefully it is assembled.
• Example: A vehicle designed with a top-heavy frame that increases rollover risks.

2. Manufacturing Defects

• Even if a product is designed properly, errors during production can introduce dangerous flaws
• Example: A batch of household appliances with faulty wiring, or contaminated food products leaving the factory.

3. Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects)

• Some products have inherent risks that are acceptable when consumers are properly warned. When companies fail to provide clear instructions or conceal risks, they can be held liable.
• Example: A chemical cleaner without safe-handling labels or medications sold without adequate side-effect warnings.

Common Examples of Product Liability Class Actions

Across industries, product liability lawsuits have uncovered widespread dangers and provided relief to thousands of victims. Some of the most common examples include:

• Automobiles and Auto Parts
  Defective airbags, brakes, seat belts, and ignition switches have all been the subject of major recalls and lawsuits. These cases often involve millions of vehicles and can result in catastrophic injuries.
  • Active Litigation / MDLs:
    • Takata Airbags (exploding inflators – global recall, ongoing claims)
    • GM Ignition Switch Defect (stalling, accidents – active litigation)
    • Jeep / Fiat Chrysler “Rollaway” Defects (gear shift design linked to rollaway deaths – active litigation)
  • Settled / Resolved:
    • Toyota Sudden Acceleration (major settlement resolved)
    • Ford / Firestone Tire Defect (historic settlement)
• Household Products
  Items like defective space heaters, faulty electronics, or unsafe children’s toys pose risks that affect families directly in their homes.
  • Active Litigation:
    • 3M Earplugs (Combat Arms) (hearing loss – active MDL, largest mass tort in U.S. history)
    • Hair Relaxer Products (linked to uterine & ovarian cancer – active MDL)
  • Settled / Resolved:
    • Johnson & Johnson Talc Powder (ovarian cancer – billions in settlements, ongoing appeals in some jurisdictions)
• Food and Beverage Contamination
  Listeria, salmonella, or E. coli outbreaks frequently lead to large-scale class actions when unsafe products reach grocery stores and restaurants.
  • Active Litigation:
    • Packaged Salad Mix (listeria outbreaks – class actions filed)
    • Ice Cream & Dairy Products (Blue Bell listeria – active claims)
  • Settled / Resolved:
    • Peanut Corporation of America (salmonella outbreak – resolved with criminal charges & bankruptcy)
• Consumer Electronics
  Smartphones, laptops, and batteries have been the focus of lawsuits after widespread overheating, explosions, or fires were linked to manufacturing flaws.
  • Active Litigation:
    • Apple iPhone Performance / Battery Throttling (consumer fraud claims – ongoing)
    • Lithium-Ion Battery Explosions (e-cigarettes, hoverboards, laptops – active litigation)
  • Settled / Resolved:
    • Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Battery Fires (massive recall, settled)
• Construction and Building Materials
  Unsafe drywall, roofing, insulation, or piping materials can compromise homes and commercial spaces, leading to costly damage and health risks.
  • Active Litigation:
    • Roundup (glyphosate herbicide – cancer risk, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – active MDL and settlements)
    • Paraquat (linked to Parkinson’s disease – active MDL)
    • Chinese Drywall (toxic emissions damaging homes – active litigation)
  • Settled / Resolved:
    • Asbestos / Mesothelioma (decades of litigation, billions in settlements & trust funds – still ongoing in some cases)
    • Owens Corning Building Products (historic asbestos settlements)

Why Class Actions Are Essential in Product Liability

Taking on a large corporation alone can feel impossible. Product liability class actions allow everyday consumers to stand together against powerful manufacturers. By combining claims, victims can share resources, demonstrate patterns of negligence, and demand justice on a scale that individual lawsuits often cannot achieve.

These collective cases have historically led to:

• Recalls of dangerous products before more harm is caused.
• Stronger safety standards across entire industries.
• Fair compensation for victims suffering injuries or financial loss.
• Public awareness that pressures companies to put safety above profit.

Without these cases, many corporations might never be held accountable for unsafe practices.

How It Works on HaveALawyer.com

We make it simple to find out if you qualify for a product liability class action case. The process is straightforward and designed to give you answers quickly:

1. Submit the Online Form

Fill out a secure form with basic details about the product and the harm it caused.

2. Case Intake Call

Once your form is received, our team follows up with a phone call to learn more about your experience. This call helps us capture all the details attorneys need to review your situation.

3. Attorney Review

Experienced lawyers compare your information with active litigation and determine if your case qualifies for an ongoing class action.

4. Next Steps & Representation

If you qualify, you’ll be connected with attorneys who can represent your interests and guide you through the next stages of the legal process.

This structured approach ensures that no one is left guessing about the status of their potential case.

Taking Action Matters

When defective products cause widespread harm, class action lawsuits are one of the most effective tools we have for creating accountability. They not only secure compensation for victims but also force corporations to improve their standards, protecting future consumers.

If you or someone you care about has been harmed by a defective product, you don’t need to face it alone. By joining others through a product liability class action case, you can help bring about meaningful change while seeking justice for your own experience.