Product Liability Under Tort Law — Part 2

Famous Product Liability Cases

Product liability cases often involve significant damages and have a profound impact on both consumers and industries. Here are some notable examples:  

United States:

• Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Cases: The company faced numerous lawsuits alleging that its talcum powder products contained asbestos, leading to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.  

• Ford Pinto: This case highlighted the issue of cost-benefit analysis in product design, where the company allegedly prioritized cost over safety.  

• McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case: While often satirized, this case raised awareness about the dangers of excessively hot products.

International Cases:

• Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: The German automaker faced massive legal and financial repercussions for manipulating emissions tests.  

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Although primarily an environmental disaster, it also involved product liability aspects related to the safety of the chemical plant.

These cases, among others, have shaped the landscape of product liability law and continue to influence consumer protection regulations and industry practices.

Examples of Product Liability Cases

Product liability cases span a wide range of industries and product types. Here are some examples:  

Automotive Industry:

• Defective airbags: Cases involving airbags that fail to deploy or deploy with excessive force.  
• Tire defects: Issues related to tire tread separation, blowouts, or manufacturing flaws.  
• Vehicle design flaws: Cases concerning design defects that increase the risk of accidents, such as rollover risks or fuel tank placement.  

Pharmaceutical Industry:

• Medication side effects: Lawsuits alleging that drugs caused unexpected and harmful side effects.  
• Drug interactions: Cases involving dangerous interactions between medications.
• Manufacturing defects: Contamination or incorrect dosages in medications.  

Consumer Products:

• Toy safety: Cases involving toys with small parts that pose choking hazards or sharp edges.  
• Child safety seats: Lawsuits related to defective car seats that fail to protect children in accidents.
• Household appliances: Issues with faulty wiring, overheating, or explosions.

Food and Beverage Industry:

• Food poisoning outbreaks: Cases involving contaminated food that causes illness.
• Product mislabeling: Lawsuits related to inaccurate or misleading product information.
• Allergen contamination: Cases where food products contain undisclosed allergens.  

Other Industries:

• Medical devices: Issues with implants, pacemakers, and other medical equipment.
• Children’s products: Cases involving lead paint, choking hazards, or other safety concerns.
• Construction materials: Lawsuits related to defective building materials that cause structural failures.

These examples illustrate the diverse range of products that can be subject to product liability claims. It’s important to note that each case has its own unique circumstances and legal complexities.