When people use a product, they don’t really think about where it is made and assume that it is safe for them to use. Thankfully, this is true of most products. If a product does have a defect, most people believe that they can get compensation from the manufacturer for the harm done to them or their family. If the product is made in the United States, this is true. U.S. manufacturers must adhere to laws regarding defective products and can be ordered to give compensation to anyone injured under the principles of product liability.

Unfortunately, more products are now made outside the U.S. than are made here and these manufacturers are not held to any standard regarding defective products. As the law stands presently, if you had a toy from China made with lead paint, and your child sustained lead poisoning from it, you would probably not be able to sue the manufacturer and hold them liable for your child’s injuries. Furthermore, an American distributor or other local partner may end up being held liable as the foreign manufacturer could not when it was the fault of the local manufacturer. This is unfair to the American company.

Product liability is a serious issue in that the fact that a company may be held liable for defects in products is often what encourages them to make safe products. defective product lawyers. With millions and millions of products on the market used for so many things from healthcare to children’s toys, the consumer needs to be protected against defects that can hurt, maim or kill.

The Foreign Manufacturers bill would require foreign manufacturers of certain products to designate and register a U.S. agent who would be responsible for accepting service of process for that manufacturer. An important part of the bill would be that when the manufacturer registers their U.S. agent, they are accepting jurisdiction of the courts of the United States. Presently these manufacturers are not held to be under the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts even though they do millions and millions of dollars of business here. At present, if they produce a defective product and people are injured, they cannot find recompense in their state court systems.