Final answer:
Product liability law in the U.S. holds manufacturers or sellers accountable for defective products, and it can lead to significant legal awards for damages. Notable examples include the automobile brake defect case and the Firestone/Ford tire issue, which demonstrate the potential consequences of negligence and corporate responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Product liability is an area of law where manufacturers or sellers are held responsible for placing a defective product in the hands of a consumer. In the United States, this area of tort law can indeed result in large awards, unlike in some other countries.
For instance, a manufacturer of automobiles knowing of a brake defect but continuing to sell the model would be held liable for consequent injuries and deaths. Another infamous example is the Firestone/Ford tire controversy where flawed products led to fatalities and massive recalls.
In cases like Juliana v. United States, we see lawsuits claiming that environmental negligence damages individuals' future well-being. Furthermore, legislation allows employees to report hazardous working conditions confidentially, adding another layer of protection and potential liability for employers.
Within the U.S. System, state courts primarily handle tort cases such as personal injury and product liability, while federal courts handle specific cases involving interstate commerce, rights, or significant financial claims.