THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1987

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 and related regional legislation for Scotland and Northern Ireland establishes grounds for strict liability for damages for personal injury brought about by faulty products throughout the United Kingdom without the necessity to prove negligence. A product is deemed faulty or defective when its safety does not meet normal expectations. Before this legislation was passed by Parliament injured parties had to prove that a product was defective due to negligence. Only when fault was established would a consumer receive compensation for his personal injury claim. The statute remedied this problem by allowing consumers who are victims of defective products to claim for damages without having to establish proof of negligence.

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 does not offer protection for the services rendered by professionals and tradesmen. The issue of service providers is tackled in the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 which states that service providers should make sure they care about the welfare of those to whom they supply their services, their work should meet reasonable trade standards and that they should provide the service at a reasonable cost. Negligence, substandard work quality or overcharging on the part of a service provider can lead to claims for compensation. A customer who is not satisfied is entitled to withhold a portion of the payment for sub-standard workmanship or to sue in a court of law if a service provider charges excessively. The service provider can, of course, if appropriate also sue the customer for failure to settle his reasonable account.

The General Product Safety Regulations 1994 provide further protection by extending The Consumer Protection Act 1987 and thereby covering all consumer goods not mentioned in the statute. Consumer goods listed include new and second hand goods, primary agricultural and horticultural products, clothing, medicines, equipment, household goods, food and drink, motor vehicles, chemicals and most other consumer goods. The overall effect of the legislation ensures that suppliers and producers have the responsibility of delivering products that are safe for use.

Consumer claims are normally grouped into four categories - Defective Design (a product is dangerous from the outset because of faulty design) - Defective Manufacture (the product does not meet specified standards due to failures in the manufacturing process) - Defective Warnings (the product label does not have adequate warnings) - Negligent Surveillance (occurs when new information regarding the product's dangers is not adequately transmitted to the public).

Our solicitors use the no win no fee scheme and offer free advice without any further obligation. Our claims are always risk free and we do not ask you to pay anything as the case proceeds. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions. If you are the victim of defective goods then you can file a claim for damages. If you would like free legal advice on a claim for compensation for personal injury caused by a defective product just complete and send the contact form or use the helpline and a solicitor will give free advice on product liability without any further obligation.