What does product liability refer to?

Product liability specifically refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers and sellers to ensure that the products they offer are safe for consumers. It encompasses situations where a product is found to be defective or unreasonably dangerous, resulting in injury or harm to the user. This area of law holds entities in the supply chain accountable, meaning that if a product fails and causes harm, the injured party can pursue a claim against both the manufacturer and the retailer.

To further understand this concept, consider the implications of product defects, which can occur in various forms, such as design defects, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings about potential risks. When consumers suffer injuries due to these defects, product liability laws are put into place to protect them and ensure that they have avenues for compensation.

The other choices reflect different concepts: the hiring process pertains to employment law, protecting original works relates to intellectual property law, and contract obligations deal with agreements between parties rather than product safety. Therefore, while these aspects are important in their respective fields, they do not pertain to the legal framework surrounding product liability.