Lawsuit!: Reducing the Risk of Product Liability for Manufacturers

Easy-to-follow, easy-to-implement procedures for avoiding costly product liability

Protect your company against the possibility of a costly product liability lawsuit. Lawsuit! takes you through all the procedures and processes that manufacturers need to have in place to limit their exposure to product liability claims. These procedures and processes also ensure that you'll have the best defense ready in the event that your organization is faced with a lawsuit.

Author Randall Goodden is one of the world's leading experts on product liability prevention. His advice is based on more than twenty-five years of hands-on experience as a manufacturing executive. Everything you need to know to reduce your firm's exposure to product liability claims is clearly set forth in non-technical language, including:

• Step-by-step instructions, along with accompanying examples, for implementing risk-reduction procedures

• Compliance guidelines for meeting the requirements of government product safety organizations

• Examples of lawsuits that underscore the need for a rigorous risk-reduction program

• Thorough explanations of the law and legal processes

Lawsuit! covers both U.S. and international law, making it appropriate for manufacturing companies around the world. In addition to avoiding product liability lawsuits, this book helps manufacturers maximize profits by being less wasteful and, at the same time, more effective in launching new products.

Following the book's easy-to-follow and easy-to-implement procedures is your best defense against product liability suits that could potentially ruin your company's reputation and bottom line.

Writing in non-technical language, Goodden, founder and chairman of the International Product Safety and Liability Prevention Association, walks through the procedures and practices available to protect manufacturers from product liability lawsuits. Covering both US and international law, he offers step-by-step instructions, guidelines for meeting the requirements of government product safety organizations, and examples of lawsuits. He also describes business practices which help make companies more profitable in their operations, lower warranty costs, and help ensure successful product launches. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Addressing product liability concerns and laws both in the U.S. and internationally, this book helps manufacturers and engineers develop and implement proactive processes that can reduce liability concerns and potential lawsuits. It discusses preventive measures in the engineering, development, and manufacturing of products and explains the procedures and processes manufacturers must have in place to reduce the likelihood of liability as well as to provide the best defense in case of a lawsuit. This is a premier resource for engineers, manufacturers, risk managers, and others concerned about product liability.

Randall L. Goodden is recognized around the world as a leading expert and author on product safety and product liability prevention. Through his public and in-house seminars around the world, he has taught product safety and product liability prevention to thousands of manufacturing executives. For more than twenty-five years, Mr. Goodden has worked as a Director and then Corporate Vice President in charge of Quality & Product Reliability, New Product Development, Field Services, and Litigation Management for a large international manufacturing corporation. Mr. Goodden is the President of Goodden Enterprises, LLC and the founder and Chairman of the International Product Safety & Liability Prevention Association.

Preface.

Dedication Page.

Acknowledgements.

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Product Liability.

Chapter 2. Product Liability Around the World.

Chapter 3. Product Liability Law.

Chapter 4. New Product Introduction.

More Effective Design Reviews.

Chapter 5. New Product Introduction.

Product Safety Reviews.

Hazards Analysis.

Risk Assessment.

Chapter 6. Product Testing.

Chapter 7. Warnings & Instructions.

Chapter 8. Product Warranties.

Chapter 9. Product Marketing.

Chapter 10. Contracts.

Purchase Orders.

Agreements.

Chapter 11. Records Retention & Dangerous Documents.

Chapter 12. The Administrative Team.

Chapter 13. Post-Sale Duties to Warn & Recalls.

Chapter 14. The Quality System.

Incorporating Safeguards into the Procedures.

Chapter 15. Claims and Investigating Incidents.

Chapter 16. Entering Into Litigation.

Index.