How to Check if a Product Was Recalled
A recall can be helpful evidence, though it does not decide a case. This checklist helps you find out whether your product was recalled.
Identify the product precisely
You will need the make, model, and serial or lot number to check whether your specific unit is covered by a recall.
Search official recall sources
Check the relevant safety agency's recall listings for the product type — consumer products, vehicles, food and drugs, or medical devices each have their own authority.
Do not act on a recall notice yet
If there is a recall, do not send the product back, discard it, or accept a repair or replacement before getting advice — doing so can destroy your evidence.
Save the recall notice
Keep a copy of any recall notice and the details, which can be useful evidence of the defect and the maker's knowledge.
Remember a recall is not the whole case
Whether or not there is a recall, a claim depends on the defect and causation. No recall does not mean the product was safe.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to product liability.
Keep going
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This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.