Not every product that breaks or fails with use is defective, and telling the difference can be difficult if you don’t have experience in this area of law. A good rule of thumb is if you were using the product as it was intended, and you sustained a loss or injury that was not related to normal wear and tear or improper use, then you could have a product liability claim. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers a list of recalled products, news releases, and safety education materials to keep consumers well-informed about various products that are found to be defective and cause safety hazards. It may not have every faulty or defective product on the site, but it is a good place to start your research. Consumers should be aware of all the resources available to help them if they are seriously injured or lose someone to a wrongful death due to a defective product. However, such recalls do not replace California’s product liability and safety laws. Such laws are often more expansive than recall lists.