When purchasing a product, we do not expect that product will seriously harm us. Unfortunately, defective products hurt more people than you may think, and if you are someone who has recently been injured due to a defective product, you must continue reading and speak with our knowledgeable Florida personal injury attorneys to learn more about product liability lawsuits and how our firm can help you through every step of the legal process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Who is responsible if I am injured due to a defective product?
There are three primary types of product liability lawsuits. They are as follows:
- Negligent product design: When a company designs a product, it must account for consumer safety. When a product designer fails to do so, their product design may be inherently dangerous. If you can prove that there was a safer, economically feasible means to design the product that would not hinder its function, you should have a valid lawsuit on the grounds of a negligent product design.
- Negligent product manufacturer: When a product design is safe but a manufacturer diverts from the initially-safe blueprint, either to save time, money, or out of sheer negligence, the product can pose a serious risk to consumers, and if you were injured due to a negligent product manufacturer, you most likely have a claim.
- Failure to warn: This is when a product is safe when used correctly, though the company failed to include a warning about any safety hazards the product may pose when misused. This can result in unsuspecting consumers incorrectly using a product and sustaining serious injuries as a result.
How can I prove my product liability claim?
To prove your product liability claim, as long as you are physically capable of doing so, you should immediately begin collecting evidence and documenting the incident after your accident. This means you should call the police, seek medical treatment, take pictures of your injuries and of the unsafe product that caused your accident, ask potential witnesses for their contact information, and retain the services of an experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorney. Additionally, it is critical that you do not throw away the product that caused your injury, as our firm can use the defective product to help prove your product liability claim.
How long will I have to file a product liability lawsuit in Florida?
When someone is injured due to a defective product in Florida, they will generally have four years from the date of the accident to take legal action against the liable party. That being said, there is a discovery rule in place which states that if you are injured by a product that has an expected useful life of 10 years or less, you will have 12 years from the date of delivery of the product to you, the product’s first purchaser, to sue, in accordance with the statute of repose, with certain exceptions.
Contact our experienced Florida firm
Ansbacher Law is composed of knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to assist clients with various legal matters throughout North Florida. We understand the urgency of your personal injury claim and additional legal matters, which is why we provide each of our clients with compassionate and efficient legal assistance, every step of the way. Please contact our office for an initial consultation today.