Citation

Darden WR, Babin BJ, Griffin M, Coulter R. J. Consum. Aff. 1994; 28(1): 54-80.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, American Council on Consumer Interests, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1745-6606.1994.tb00814.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The area of product safety and products liability legislation has been the subject of a great deal of academic research. Policymakers and business executives have been surveyed to determine their attitudes toward liability and product safety concerns. In addition, a substantial amount of research has focused on the impact of products liability trial outcomes on business and public policy. However, there are relatively few studies reporting opinions, attitudes, and predispositions of consumers regarding relevant liability topics. This article explores the consumer perspective on several critical questions relating to products liability and product safety. The results indicate a wide divergence of opinion exists among consumers on key issues shaping current trends in the products liability legal environment. Implications for consumers, business, and public policy are discussed.