If you have a product that causes you injury, you should report it to the proper authorities so that other people do not suffer an injury. However, it is not always clear exactly who you should contact.
According to USA.gov, how you report a defect and to whom you make the report depends on the type of product because different agencies handle different types of products. Regardless of the product, though, there are a few important steps you should take.
Gather information
The first step is to gather all the relevant information. This might include the receipt from the purchase, information about where you purchased the item, pictures of the issue and injury and information about the medical care you had to get for the injury.
Contact the right people
You will need to then contact various individuals and agencies to properly report the issue and ensure that someone is looking into it. You will want to contact state agencies and consumer protection offices at the local, state and federal levels. You also want to contact the seller of the item and the manufacturer, if possible.
Seek help
You may find that you run into difficulties with the process, which may require contacting a federal agency to get assistance. You may also be able to work with your credit card company or bank to stop payment if the issue occurs with the actual transaction when buying the item.
You may also be able to go to court or go through mediation with the at-fault party to seek a settlement or payment for your injuries and associated expenses.
