The present global financial crisis is not the only problem for Americans. Ensuring the safety of American consumers has also been a struggle.
In fact, some of the most controversial and serious product liability cases and settlements involved suits filed against major car manufacturers, pharmaceuticals companies, medical device makers and food corporations.
Defective bassinets, faulty cars, salmonella infective food and toys with excessive lead content or made with dangerous ingredients were among the products that consumers have been exposed to. Many of these products came from overseas like China.
The question now is what are the steps taken by the government to ensure the safety of Americans especially the children?
In a Congressional Hearing last November 2008, Attorney Tomas Gowen urged lawmakers to pass a law barring dangerous and defective products from entering the U.S. territories and holding the manufacturers liable should their products cause injuries.
Gowen recommended that all foreign manufacturers and sellers should obtain import license containing the name, address, product lines and brand names made by such company.
The license also requires revealing the name of the agent who would sell the same. Moreover, such import license would also compel foreign manufacturers to maintain adequate product liability insurance.
Gowen’s testimony represented those victims of negligent foreign manufacturers. We have yet to see how the Congress reacts to this proposal.
In fact, some of the most controversial and serious product liability cases and settlements involved suits filed against major car manufacturers, pharmaceuticals companies, medical device makers and food corporations.
Defective bassinets, faulty cars, salmonella infective food and toys with excessive lead content or made with dangerous ingredients were among the products that consumers have been exposed to. Many of these products came from overseas like China.
The question now is what are the steps taken by the government to ensure the safety of Americans especially the children?
In a Congressional Hearing last November 2008, Attorney Tomas Gowen urged lawmakers to pass a law barring dangerous and defective products from entering the U.S. territories and holding the manufacturers liable should their products cause injuries.
Gowen recommended that all foreign manufacturers and sellers should obtain import license containing the name, address, product lines and brand names made by such company.
The license also requires revealing the name of the agent who would sell the same. Moreover, such import license would also compel foreign manufacturers to maintain adequate product liability insurance.
Gowen’s testimony represented those victims of negligent foreign manufacturers. We have yet to see how the Congress reacts to this proposal.
