product liability

American  

noun

1. the responsibility of a manufacturer for injury or loss caused by its product.

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product liability British  

noun

1. the liability to the public of a manufacturer or trader for selling a faulty product

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Etymology

Origin of product liability

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Poison, comes as justices hear arguments in a high-stakes product liability case involving Bayer and tens of thousands of claims that its flagship weedkiller causes cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

In part, this case also employed the product liability strategy.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

In product liability suits, plaintiffs typically seek to hold product makers responsible for failing to warn them of a known danger.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

Lawyers for the claimants estimate damages sought in the UK could extend to hundreds of millions of pounds and that the claim could become the largest product liability case in British history.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2025

The farm bill, transportation policy, product liability reform, enterprise zones.

From State of the Union Address by Bush, George