Quality Control

Products liability law deals with personal injuries and damage caused by defective products. Defective products include products that have an inherent flaw in the product design and products that are defectively or improperly manufactured. If there is a design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer could be held liable for injuries that result from a consumer's use of the product. Consequently, it is essential for the manufacturer to ensure the quality of its products. This article discusses the various components of quality control and the procedures that can be used to reduce the manufacturer's potential liability for its products.

The Food and Drug Administration's Oversight of Human Cloning Technology

In 1996, Dolly the sheep became the first large animal cloned from a bioengineered embryo that had been implanted in a ewe's womb. It took 277 attempts before a viable lamb was born. Other animals have been cloned to date, but successful cloning has not occurred often and various abnormalities have been seen. In 1999, it was reported that DNA had been found in Dolly's cells, which was typical of an older animal.

Liability of Manufacturers of Truck Wheel Components for Defective Tire Rims

Multi-piece truck wheels or rims have caused numerous serious injuries and deaths to tire mounters since they were introduced to the market. The rims can explosively separate from the wheel and cause injuries by striking tire installers and others standing nearby. Referred to as "widow makers" by those in the tire mounting industry, the rims have been the subjects of many lawsuits.

FDA and the Recall Process

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for monitoring adverse product experiences. If a product is deemed defective by the FDA, the FDA is authorized to request that members of industries regulated by the FDA recall the product. The FDA is also authorized to mandate product recalls under certain circumstances.

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986

In the 1980s, there was increasing public debate over the safety of childhood vaccines. There were reports of serious injuries or death supposedly related to adverse reactions to childhood vaccines. Because of the threat of lawsuits, some companies stopped making vaccines.