You Were Hurt by a Defective Product in Florida – What's Next?

You Were Hurt by a Defective Product in Florida – What’s Next?

by Defective ProductsProduct Liability

You Were Hurt by a Defective Product in Florida – What's Next?

Consumer products regulations ensure that most products on the market are safe for their intended use. However, some consumer products companies push the boundaries of regulations or cut corners in the design or manufacturing process, which can lead to dangerous defective products reaching US consumers.

When consumers are injured by a defective product, it may be possible to recover damages through a product liability suit. However, proving product liability is an in-depth process, and will require that you take action quickly after the accident, collecting evidence to demonstrate that certain elements were present.

Types of Product Liability Recognized in Florida

Most Florida defective product cases fall under the strict liability theory, otherwise known as a product liability suit. Product liability tends to fall into one of three categories: design defects, failure to warn, and manufacturing defects.

Design defects. If a product’s design is defective, it endangers the user even if it is perfectly manufactured. In order to prove that design defects caused the injury, the claimant must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • It was possible for the manufacturer to use a design that was less dangerous.
  • Using the less-dangerous design would have been technically and economically feasible.
  • The less-dangerous design would not compromise the product’s functionality.

Failure to warn. Under Florida product liability law, a product can also be considered defective if the manufacturer did not provide sufficient instructions or labeling for safe product use. This is referred to as failure to warn.

Manufacturers are required to warn of any potential hazards associated with the product that are not readily apparent. Further, manufacturers must provide instructions for safe use. Failure to provide this information could result in the manufacturer being held liable for resultant injuries.

Types of Product Liability Recognized in Florida

Manufacturing defect. A manufacturing defect is a chance occurrence, and it is not present in every individual product. For example, tire tread defects may lead to a tire blow out.

Elements Needed to Prove Liability in Florida

In order to win a product liability suit, you must be able to prove certain elements to establish that the manufacturer is liable for damages.

Injuries occurred. You must able to prove that injuries occurred. Evidence of the personal and financial damages resulting from these injuries is also helpful in seeking damages.

Injuries were due to the product in question. You must be able to demonstrate that your injuries occurred due to the product in question.

The product was defective. You must be able to demonstrate that the product in question was defective, usually due to one of the above specific defects.

What to Do if You Are Injured by a Defective Product in Florida

Product liability suits are fact-based, meaning every element of the case must be thoroughly documented. Therefore, if you are injured by a defective product, it is important to be aware of exactly what evidence you need to collect immediately following the injury.

Save the product as evidence. Product liability hinges on the product itself, which will serve as the most important piece of evidence in your case. Therefore, it is important to save not only the product, but also any packaging, manuals, and safety warnings. If you can provide a receipt or proof of purchase this will also be helpful., along with any accompanying warranty information.

Seek medical attention. To protect your safety, we advise that you seek medical attention for your injuries right away. Further, waiting to seek medical attention can also cast doubt on the severity of your injuries in a product liability suit. Keep all records of emergency room and doctor’s visits such that you can document that you sought medical attention.

Document your injuries. To seek damages, you must be able to document the extent of your injuries. Keep all medical records, including emergency room or office visit summaries, and results of diagnostic tests.

Taking pictures or videos of your injuries may also be helpful. This documents the extent of your injuries, and also how they affect your life. Pictures and videos may also be more relatable than written documentation in medical jargon.

Document what happened. To prove that the defective product caused your injuries, it is important to document the events that led to your injury. As soon as possible, write a time and date-stamped account of the accident (for example, using email or a cloud server), and include as much detail as possible.

If witnesses were present, ask them to provide a written account as well. They may also need to testify in court.

What to Do if You Are Injured by a Defective Product in Florida

Keep medical bills, pay stubs, and tax returns. To demonstrate the financial damages caused by your injuries, save documentation such as medical bills, pay stubs demonstrating lost wages, evidence of sick days used, and tax returns.

Product liability suits are an important means to protect consumers from dangerous defective products. However, winning a product liability suit, requires a significant amount of clear, well-documented evidence supporting your case. This means that if you are injured by a defective product, you should be proactive by collecting the necessary evidence and seeking out legal guidance as soon as possible.

 

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for the South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

3 Types of Defective Product Cases in Florida

3 Types of Defective Product Cases in Florida

by Defective ProductsProduct Liability

3 Types of Defective Product Cases in Florida

We just got through the season of giving, but that also makes it the season of getting for a lot of people. If you or someone love was injured due to a seeming defect in one of their new toys – literal or figurative – you might be feeling angry. You might be wondering if you have a legal case against someone because of the problems cause by their product.

 

It depends. Under Florida law, there are three different general ways that a product can be deemed defective. Understanding these three defect categories can both give you a decent sense of whether you have a viable case and let you know what type of case you are likely looking at if you decide to file a claim.

 

Below, we’re going to detail the three types of product defect categories and explain what protections you have under Florida law.

 

Defective Design

 

If the design intended by the manufacturer turns out to present an unreasonable hazard to the consumer, the manufacturer may be held liable for defective design in your case.

 

Florida courts will determine reasonable hazards based on a test of consumer expectations. If a reasonable consumer would expect the product to be safe under intended use, but the product fails to meet this reasonable expectation, the manufacturer’s liability would be primary.

 

An example of this would be an improperly designed battery storage component on a toy, which could lead to burns from leaking batteries.

 

Defective Manufacturing

 

This type of defect occurs during the manufacturing process itself. That means the product design was safe, but as it was being made, flaws in the manufacturing process created unreasonable danger.

 

The manufacturer can be held liable for a product that causes injury due to defects that occurred between the design process and the packaging or distribution process.

 

For example, a foreign object could enter a bottle of pills during the manufacturing process, leading to contamination.

 

Failure to Warn

 

If a manufacturer or distributor fails to place adequate and appropriate warnings on the packaging of the product, this is another way that they can be held liable for consumer injuries.

 

A common example of this would be a drug that does not include complete warnings of possible side effects for overdoses. The product may have been designed and manufactured properly, but the packaging failed to reasonably warn the consumer of the known dangers.

 

With this kind of product defect case, your attorney will need to prove that the risk of injury would have been lowered or eradicated with a reasonable warning.

 

How Florida Liability Claims Work

 

Statute of Limitations. You have a limit of four years to file a product liability lawsuit in Florida. What that means is that you have four years from the date that you discover the problem to file a claim.

 

However, it is also important to note that there is also a 12-year statute of repose. This means that 12 years after a product is delivered to the first purchaser, the manufacturer cannot be held liable for harm in most cases.

 

Comparative Negligence. Florida courts use the comparative negligence rule in product liability cases. This means that if you are found partially at fault for your injury, the court will award payment to you based on the percentage of liability.

 

For example, if a product caused $50,000 in damage to your home, but you were found 50 percent liable, your maximum award would be $25,000 from the at-fault party.

 

The court will take into account the scientific and technological knowledge of the designer and manufacturer at the time the product was made and consider how that bears on the overall liability.

 

South Florida Defective Products Lawyers

Get Legal Assistance

 

Product liability cases tend to be complicated and hard-fought, and they can be difficult to win on your own. Companies are reluctant to admit fault and will pull out all the stops to shut your case down. To give yourself the best chance at success, you need the help of an experienced Florida injury attorney who will fight on your behalf. Call today for a free case review.

 

 

About the Author: 

 

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for the South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

 

 

 

Can You Sue in Florida after a Tire Blowout Injury?

Can You Sue in Florida after a Tire Blowout Injury?

by Product Liability

Can You Sue in Florida after a Tire Blowout Injury?

The recent death of a Tampa couple is an example of what might have been a potential product liability lawsuit had they lived.

 

On Thanksgiving Day, Kevin and Michelle Livingston were traveling home from a visit to south Florida. Reports indicate that their sport utility vehicle drove into the waters of a canal along Alligator Alley. The SUV was submerged upside down in 30 feet of water and stuck in four feet of mud. Emergency personnel had to use a winch and cable to pull the vehicle up, but both husband and wife were pronounced dead at the scene.

 

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the left rear tire tread separated and that was what led to the crash. Brian Livingston, Kevin’s brother, said the SUV was in excellent condition and that Kevin had recently replaced two of the tires.

 

It remains to be seen whether a wrongful death claim will be filed by the families in this case. If they choose to file, they would likely try to hold the tire manufacturer responsible for the accident.

 

How Do Florida Product Liability Cases Work?

 

A product liability lawsuit can be filed to pay for medical expenses, funeral expenses, personal property replacement, repair costs, loss of past and future income, and other economic losses stemming from the auto accident. The lawsuit can apply to negligence, warranty breaches, or failures of design, formulation, manufacturing, installation, or assembly of a product.

 

Tire blowout accidents are common on Florida roadways. A blowout of your own tire or another driver’s tire can cause accidents, injuries, and property damage. Liability in a tire blowout case can be more difficult to determine than in other vehicle accidents. Negligence and/or product liability may be involved, which will complicate the case. An experienced Florida injury attorney can help you navigate the filing terms.

 

If you can prove that the defective tire caused the blowout, you can sue the manufacturer for damages. If you can prove that you were hit by another driver who had a tire blowout, you may be able to sue for both negligence and product liability. Driver negligence will be easier to prove than product liability, which often requires expert testimony.

 

You must file a product liability lawsuit within the statute of limitations. The standard is four years from the original purchase. However, some exceptions may apply under the discovery rule, which begins from the date when the problem should have been discovered.

 

Fort Lauderdale Product Liability Lawyers

 

It is possible to file a claim even if you are partially responsible for the incident. Florida law assigns comparative fault to all parties involved in a product liability case. This means that each party will be held responsible for damages according to percentage of fault, as determined by the court.

 

For example, a judge could hold a driver 50 percent responsible for the maintenance of the tires, and the tire manufacturer 50 percent responsible for the tire product quality. The driver who filed the claim would then only be able to recoup 50 percent of the total damages from the tire manufacturer.

 

Where to Start If You Have Been Injured By a Defective Product

 

If you think you have been injured due to a defective product, don’t hesitate to contact our offices. We’ll look at the details of your situation to determine whether your case has a good chance of obtaining compensation under Florida’s product liability laws. Schedule your free case review today.

 

 

About the Author: 

 

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for the South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

 

Do You Drive One of these 85 Million Dangerous Vehicles

Do You Drive One of these 85 Million Dangerous Vehicles?

by Auto AccidentsAuto DefectsProduct Liability

Do You Drive One of these 85 Million Dangerous Vehicles

We all know the two car parts that will most likely save your life in case of an accident: your seatbelt (buckle up!) and your airbags.

 

Unfortunately, this trust we have in our airbags may be misguided. The Takata airbags in over 85 million cars may actually hurt you more than help you in an accident. Because of this, Takata has issued a huge recall, and your car may be affected.

 

The recalls were announced after 11 deaths were reported due to defective air bags. The 11th case involved 17-year old Huma Hanif. After getting in a low-speed collision (a crash in which she should have walked away from), her airbags exploded and hurled sharp shrapnel at her. One piece cut her neck and caused her to bleed to death.

 

This is obviously not supposed to happen when your airbags are released. Airbag companies and other automotive manufacturers should be held to high standards. And when their products are found to be defective, like Takata’s, a recall is an appropriate start in holding them accountable for their actions and preventing more deaths.

 

Filing a defective product lawsuit may be the next step, but we’ll get to that in a moment. First things first: do you drive one of the impacted cars?

 

Boca Raton Auto Defect Lawyer

 

Are You at Risk?

 

Floridians should pay special attention to this recall, because Takata Corporation has noted that high heat and humidity puts passengers at a higher risk for airbag failure.

 

Car manufacturers that are affected include:

 

  • Acura
  • Audi
  • BMW
  • Cadillac
  • Chevrolet
  • Daimler
  • Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Chrysler, Dodge, Ram)
  • Ford
  • GMC
  • Honda
  • Infiniti
  • Lexus
  • Lincoln
  • Mazda
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mercury
  • Mitsubishi
  • Nissan
  • Pontiac
  • Saab
  • Saturn
  • Scion
  • Subaru
  • Toyota
  • Volkswagen

 

If that seems like a lot of cars, it is. While not all of the models from the above automakers are affected, it is important to double-check the status of your airbags. Put your Vehicle ID Number (VIN) into the indicated box at safecar.gov to see if this recall affects you.

 

If your car is on the list, go get your airbags replaced as soon as possible. It won’t cost you a thing, and it may save your life.

 

Recalls and Product Liability Lawsuits

 

We’ve written in previous blog posts about product liability and recalls for other defective products: hoverboards, Christmas gifts, toys, and so on. Recalls are used to warn people about unsafe products or parts. Most recalls offer to replace the defective part or product at no cost – the goal is just to get the unsafe product out of the hands of people who could be injured.

 

Recalls are issued for a reason. The product or part in question has consistently shown that it is defective, and may have even caused people harm. If you have been injured by a toy, airbag, or any product that later becomes the subject of a recall, you might want to file a product liability or defective product lawsuit.

 

If a product is recalled, that can certainly help you win your case, but it’s not something that may be directly used as evidence. Submitting the recall as evidence often gives a jury a specific bias and may sway their decision before the trial even begins.

 

However, knowing the ins and outs of the recall can help you win your case. Read over the injuries and cases that sparked the recall. Learn what parts or products were defective, and how they could injure you or someone else. This knowledge will help you prove that the product was defective and caused your injury.

 

Another way you can win a product liability lawsuit is by proving that the manufacturer of the product did not sufficiently warn you of the danger of that product.

 

In some cases, the defendant will argue that a widespread recall is sufficient warning, especially if you were contacted directly by the manufacturer. If a manufacturer simply puts a recall notice out on its website, however, this may not be seen as sufficient. How often do you check the press releases sent out by the manufacturers of every product you own?

 

Pay Attention to Stay Safe on the Road

 

Boca Raton Auto Recall Attorney

 

This is not the first recall on millions of cars for defective parts – not by a long shot. Just last year, 11 million Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) were recalled. And that’s only the most recent big example. The best way to stay safe is to keep yourself updated on recalls and other safety news regarding your automobile.

 

Sign up for e-mail notifications so you can be the first to know if your car, car parts, or child restraints have been proven as defective.

 

And if you were injured by a product that was subject to a recall, do not hesitate to call a knowledgeable Florida personal injury lawyer today for a case review.

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his 22-year career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for The South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

Do I Have a Hoverboard Lawsuit

Do I Have a Hoverboard Lawsuit?

by Defective ProductsHoverboardsProduct Liability

Do I Have a Hoverboard Lawsuit

 

Hoverboards were called the hottest holiday gift last year – and just not because they were so popular.

 

These motorized platforms, often compared to a portable Segway or balancing scooter, gained rapid attention on social media for their popularity with celebrities and futuristic capabilities. However, the amount of injuries and disasters caused by them quickly resulted in new, not-so-fun headlines.

 

Falling off hoverboards caused an alarming amount of injuries and emergency room visits, but that was just the beginning. Many hoverboards were also catching on fire and exploding.

 

Sometimes these fires occurred while users were riding their hoverboard, but mostly they happened while the hoverboards were charging. Because of this, hoverboard fires caused devastating damage to dozens of homes across the county. In Tennessee, two children nearly died when their hoverboard caught on fire and burned down their home.

 

What’s Causing These Injuries?

 

First and foremost, riding a hoverboard should be treated like riding a bike or a skateboard – it is not as simple as it appears to be on YouTube and social media. You may lose your balance and fall. Breaking a fall with your hands can result in hand and arm injuries, and depending on the angle and severity of your fall, these injuries can affect your head and neck as well. Due to this, the CPSC advises that you take precautions while learning to ride a hoverboard and wear appropriate safety gear (helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and so on).

 

Of course, that only covers the issue of falling, and unlike with slip and fall situations, there is a clear, inherent risk in riding a hoverboard that limits your ability to take legal action for this type of injury.

 

The real problem that has everyone on edge about hoverboards is the fact that they have been spontaneously catching on fire at an alarming rate. Why is this happening?

 

Hoverboard fires are usually the result of cheap materials and manufacturers cutting corners. To keep up with the skyrocketing demand for hoverboards before the holiday season, many hoverboard companies did not properly test their products and settled for cheap lithium ion batteries. These batteries can quickly become dangerous after being bumped around and overused, as many hoverboards are when first purchased because owners are still learning how to use them properly.

 

Should You Be Compensated for a Hoverboard-Related Injury?

 

Boca Raton Personal Injury Claims Lawyer

 

Before pursuing legal action, ask yourself the following questions:

 

When did you purchase a hoverboard?

 

Safety regulations regarding hoverboards changed as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) quickly responded to the skyrocketing rate of hoverboard injuries. In December 2015, the CPSC issued a statement saying that they were investigating the cause of hoverboard fires and would be taking part in ongoing safety testing. In February 2016, they deemed all hoverboards unsafe.

 

If you purchased a hoverboard before this time, however, it was still new to the market and probably did not meet basic safety requirements. Remember, though, Florida law only allows you to file a personal injury report 3-4 years after the date of your accident, so it’s best not to put your suit off.

 

Boca Raton Hoverboard Injury Claims Attorney

 

Were you following your hoverboard’s rules for safety?

 

Read over your hoverboard’s user manual for their explicit rules on how to safely use the product. Different manufacturers include weight requirements and limits on how steep of an incline a hoverboard can safely ride. Age limits and limits on pregnant women are also included in some user manuals.

 

What were you doing when the hoverboard incident occurred?

 

Florida adjusts the amount of compensation you will receive in a personal injury lawsuit if you are considered to be partially at fault. For example, if you were injured after falling off a hoverboard but were not wearing a helmet, you may be blamed to an extent for your head injuries.

 

Hoverboard fires have caused $2 million in property damage and dozens of trips to the emergency room. But does that necessarily mean that you deserve financial compensation for what happened to you? The only way to know for sure is to go over the details of your case with an experienced defective products lawyer.

 

 

About the Author:

 

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his 22-year career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for The South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Defective Products

Who Can Be Held Liable for Defective Products?

by Product Liability

Who Can Be Held Liable for Defective Products

As a consumer, you place a great deal of trust in the products you buy and the companies that produce them. It is not uncommon for a person to find one brand of a particular product and stick with it, essentially forming a relationship with that brand because it has proven itself time and time again. But what happens when the brands or products that we know and love—and trust—let us down?

 

Recently, Kraft recalled 6.5 million boxes of Mac and Cheese after consumers reported finding shards of metal in the boxes. A few months ago, a woman in Texas reported that she bit into a metal object while eating M&Ms. Unfortunately these are not isolated incidents. Accidents like these do happen from time to time, even from major companies like Kraft and Mars. But should major companies bear all the blame themselves?

 

If you have suffered in any way as a result of a defective product, you need to know that there are more parties involved than you may think.

 

Product Defects: Who is to Blame?

 

Generally, we think of defective products as corporations’ problems. If a consumer finds bits of metal in a box of Mac and Cheese, most people’s minds will jump first to Kraft, the company behind the product. But what about the store where the product was purchased? And what about the distributor that supplied the product to the store? Can these parties—or others—be held accountable? Yes, they can.

 

In fact, any party that is involved with a product before the product reaches the consumer can be held liable for a defective product. Typically, there are three parties who could be to blame:

 

  • The manufacturer
  • The wholesaler
  • The distributor

 

All of these parties can be equally liable in a defective product case. By selling their products, each of the above parties either explicitly or implicitly ensures the consumer that the product is safe and ready for use. If any supposedly safe product results in your harm or bodily injury, each or all of these three parties has essentially let down their end of the deal.

 

Receiving Compensation

 

South Florida Product Liability Attorney

A defective product claim may fall under one of three categories:

 

  1. Strict product liability, where a plaintiff does not need to prove direct negligence on the part of the manufacturer or seller but must only show that a certain product was defective
  2. Negligence, where the consumer must prove that he or she sustained harm as a result of a product failing to operate as it was supposed to
  3. Breach of warranty, where a consumer can show that a certain product performed in a way that went against its stated or implied warranty

 

Each of these categories comes with a number of nuances and details, all of which a knowledgeable attorney will be able to discuss with you in detail.

 

In a product liability case, it’s important to remember that your case is not about choosing one party to deem responsible and bear the brunt of the blame and all the associated consequences. On the contrary, it is simply about holding responsible parties accountable. To ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve and to ensure that the responsible parties improve their practices for the future, it is imperative that you take action.

 

If you have experienced a defective product that has caused you harm in any way, you deserve justice. Contact the lawyers at The South Florida Injury Law Firm today to start fighting for the compensation that you deserve.

 

Keurig Coffee Maker Product Liability Lawyer

Burned by Keurig? You’re Not the Only One

by Product Liability

Keurig Coffee Maker Product Liability Lawyer
As many of us have learned from stepping on a child’s seemingly innocent Lego—sometimes, it’s life’s most wonderful pleasures that bring the most agonizing pain.

 

Sadly, hundreds of individuals were brought to this conclusion yet again after being burned by their Keurig machines while waiting for their coffee to brew. As NBC recently reported, Keurig is currently recalling almost 7 million coffee makers that were produced between 2009 and 2014. The company stated that it had received about 200 reports from users stating that scalding hot water inexplicably sprayed from their machines. Ninety of these incidents resulted in burn-related injuries.

 

Product Defects

 

This is a huge recall for Keurig, the coffee brewing company that has become a household name for many Americans. But large-scale recalls like this are far from unheard of, even for major corporations.

 

In 1982, Tylenol recalled approximately 31 million bottles after 13 people died after taking the iconic pills (an event that eerily predicts our current problem with prescription drug defects). In 2007, 1 million Easy Bake Ovens were recalled after Hasbro received several complaints about young children being burned on the toy. And just last year, car manufacturer GM recalled approximately 26 million cars with faulty ignition switches that had led to 31 auto accidents.

 

Is any company—or product—safe from recalls? Unfortunately, probably not. There are simply too many things that can go wrong in the assembly process that can result in products being defective in any number of ways.

 

Boca Raton Product Recall Attorney

Product recalls are generally a result of one of three types of defects:

 

  1. Design flaws. Design flaws are generally those that permeate all products in a certain line, because the problem is inherent in the very blueprint of the product. Design flaws are present in products even if they were manufactured perfectly.
  2. Manufacturing flaws. Manufacturing flaws are those that occur as a result of a manufacturing error – a mistake made during the physical process of building the product. These defects are usually only present in one type of product—that is, one particular product that had to undergo a specialized manufacturing process—and do not apply to an entire product line.
  3. Failure to provide adequate warning. This is the most easily avoidable type of defect. So-called “failure to warn” defects are those that fail to provide adequate notice about the proper way to use a certain product. These defects are particularly dangerous on products that can be seriously damaging to the user if used improperly, such as power tools or large appliances.

 

Because any of the above product defects can result in harm to you or your family, and because manufacturers have a duty to create products that won’t cause harm when being used properly, it is vital that you hold them responsible.

 

What Can You Do?

 

Unfortunately, product defects can sometimes result in serious personal injury. From minor bruises as a result of an improperly assembled chair to severe physical injuries and even death that can occur due to an improperly manufactured brake pedal.

 

Even if you find yourself going up against a large corporation, don’t be afraid to stand firm and defend yourself. Companies have a responsibility to consumers to keep them safe, and if any company fails to do so, you need to fight back both to keep something like this from happening to another person and to get the compensation you need to adequately cover your pain, suffering, and expenses. Contact the law offices of The South Florida Injury Law Firm today and get the justice you deserve.

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his 22-year career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for The South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

 

Boca Raton Product Liability Lawyer

Defective Gifts May Cause More Than a Return Hassle

by Product Liability

Boca Raton Product Liability Lawyer

The holiday season is over. We’ve all eaten too much horrible, delicious food, entertained relatives well past their expiration date, listened to Michael Bublé for the first time in a year, and (hopefully) found the perfect gifts for everyone on our list. Lights, trees, menorahs, and other artifacts of the season are soon to come down, if they haven’t already, and most of us are ready to move on.

 

But not quite yet. We’re still trying on new clothes and playing with toys made for kids of all ages, and many of us may even be planning a trip to the store to return or exchange something (remember to bring your photo ID, because this year retailers are really trying to crack down on return fraud).

 

And then there are those for whom the hassle of remembering to bring a license would be a luxury. They received something that ended up being defective. If they’re lucky, that just meant that it was broken in some way and didn’t do what they wanted. But if they’re unlucky, it’s quite possible that the defect in the product may have caused harm to them or someone they love. In extreme cases, people have even been killed by product defects.

 

What do you do if this has happened to you? Get in touch with a defective products attorney as soon as possible and document everything as thoroughly as possible. These kinds of cases can be complicated and contentious, so the more evidence you have and the earlier you can start building a case, the better off you are.

 

How Do You Know If a Product Is Defective?

 

Boca Defective Product Attorney

Dealing with a defective product can be scary, dangerous, and difficult, but there are ways that you can protect yourself and stay out of this situation. The first and easiest is to head to Recalls.gov and look to see if a product you have is on the list and why. But because a product doesn’t have to be recalled to be dangerous, and because companies sometimes fight back even after a recall is made, it can also be smart to do a Google search for problems with your specific item. You might be shocked to discover that several people have complained or written reviews about something that seems like a serious problem for a product that’s still readily available – this kind of thing happens all the time.

 

So, what should you look for if you’re worried about a particular product but there’s nothing out there – yet – that speaks to a specific problem with it? Since we’re talking about things received around the holidays, let’s take a look at toys specifically. Many toys will have labels warning you about potential problems, but often these are incomplete because the manufacturers simply don’t account for all of the creative ways that kids can hurt themselves.

 

Loose parts. If a toy easily comes apart – even if the effect is intentional – be wary. Small parts can be choking hazards, and large parts may end up causing cuts.

 

Zippered animals. Some stuffed animals come with zippers that allow access to the “stuffing” part of the toy. Presumably, this is so parents can easily refill the animal if the need arises, but it also provides easy access to young fingers, and if your little one gets the stuffing out, it’s going one of two places – on the floor, or in their mouth. If the latter occurs, it’s a choking hazard.

 

Cords. Lots of toys have strings or cords, and in theory they’ve been designed with strict safety standards mind, but that doesn’t mean they can’t accidentally strangle your child. Keep close watch.

 

Balloons. Why are balloons dangerous? You guessed it – because kids can choke on them. This is actually an incredibly problematic item, because even older kids can choke to death if a latex balloon gets caught in their throat.

 

Chemicals. Who puts chemicals in kids’ toys? Lots of manufacturers. Most people know to watch out for lead paint, but toxic chemicals have also been found in things like chalk, toy jewelry, and more.

 

West Palm Beach Product Liability Attorney

Electronics. All electronic toys are potentially dangerous because you likely won’t be able to tell if there is a manufacturing or design defect until it is too late and they suffer a burn or the device shocks them.

 

Anything small. Young children put things in their mouths. It’s a universal truth. So if they receive any gift with small parts that might lodge in their throats – especially parts that look enticing in some way – either keep them away or only let them use the toy in your presence.

 

Of course, it’s not possible to know about many defects in advance, and the vast majority of products out there are completely safe. The best thing that you can do is to keep an eye on toys – especially new ones – when your child is playing with them, and simply know your son or daughter. If they act oddly every time they interact with a specific toy, something is probably going on and you should talk to a skilled attorney.

 

 

Defective Product Lawyer Boca Raton

How Do You Know If You Have a Defective Product?

by Product Liability

Defective Product Lawyer Boca Raton

Ideally, all consumer products that go to market have been thoroughly tested to prevent them from unexpectedly harming anyone. But occasionally something slips through the cracks; maybe the marketing team fails to include adequate instructions for the product’s use on its packaging, or a manufacturer just doesn’t realize that a small part on a child’s toy could come loose and become a choking hazard. But since product defects aren’t always obvious, how do consumers know if they have a defective product on their hands?

 

One of the most straightforward ways to find out if you have a defective product is to pay attention to product recalls. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not always do a very good job of broadcasting their recalls, so consumers need to take a proactive approach to discovering if they have any defective products. Concerned consumers should frequently go to Recalls.gov to search for recalled products by category or keyword.

 

But what if you don’t hear about a recall—or a company fails to issue a recall before you are harmed by one of their products? In that type of situation, how do you know whether you have a strong case against the company?

 

Proving Liability for a Defective Product

 

Proving Liability for a Defective Product

Fortunately, the people and companies who create and sell consumer goods are typically held to strict liability in defective product cases. This means that a plaintiff only has to prove that a consumer product is unreasonably dangerous in order to hold the manufacturer, designer, or marketer accountable. There are three main ways that a product may be found defective:

 

Product defects. Product defects affect an individual product rather than an entire line and typically occur at the manufacturing stage. For example, if a kitchen chair manufacturer failed to add several screws to one of their chairs and it collapsed when the person who purchased it sat down, that person could file a claim to recover compensation for their injuries.

 

Design defects. This type of defect affects an entire line of products, not just a single item. A relatively recent example of this is the defective ignition switch in certain GM vehicles that would unexpectedly turn off the vehicle’s power if a driver went over a bump or jostled their keys with their legs.

 

Marketing defects. There may not be a design or manufacturing issue with a product, but it can still be defective if it did not come with sufficient instructions and warnings for usage and a consumer suffered an injury as a result. For example, if a brand of sleeping pills did not come with dosage instructions, the company that produced and marketed the prescription drug could be found liable in the event of an overdose.

 

Res Ipsa Loquitor Cases

 

In some cases, a product defect is so obvious that a plaintiff would not even need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent. Under the principal of res ipsa loquitor, which is Latin for “the thing speaks for itself,” the plaintiff must simply show that the product is defective and that he or she was injured by the product, and the burden of proof shifts to the defendant. Then, the defendant must prove that they were not negligent, rather than the plaintiff having to prove that the defendant was negligent. However, plaintiffs need to be careful about using this strategy, as the defendant may try to argue that if the defect was obvious, the plaintiff must have known of the danger and used it anyway.

 

If you are an accident victim and are unsure whether your injury was truly caused by a defective product, or are wondering how to show the court that a product is defective, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of The South Florida Injury Law Firm.

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his 22-year career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for The South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

 

5 of the Biggest Toy Recalls in the US

5 of the Biggest Toy Recalls in the US

by Product LiabilityToy Recalls

5 of the Biggest Toy Recalls in the US

As a parent, you have to be careful what kind of toys you buy for your children. Small parts are out if your child is of an age where they want to stick everything in their mouth, and sharp edges are always a bad idea. In general, you need to be sure the toys you buy are age-appropriate for your child, and you probably determine that in part by the toy labels that tell you exactly what age range each toy is designed for.

 

But what happens when those toys aren’t as age-appropriate or safe as they claim to be? Unfortunately, toy recalls are all too common, and children’s products accounted for 42% of all recalls between 2006 and 2011. Here’s a look at 5 of the biggest toy recalls from the last few years, and what you should do if one of your child’s toys undergoes a similar recall.

 

Mattel Magnetic and Lead-Contaminated Toys. Lead is banned in US toys because of the associated health risks, but in 2007 toy giant Mattel was forced to recall 436,000 toys depicting characters from the movie “Cars” because the Chinese-manufactured products were covered in lead paint. At the same time, Mattel issued another recall for 18.2 million magnetized toys because they realized that the magnets posed a choking hazard for young children.Mattel vowed to monitor their Chinese contractors and subcontractors more closely in the wake of these huge recalls.

 

Aqua-Leisure Inflatable Baby Boats. As the name suggests, this product was designed to allow infants and toddlers to float in the pool. However, the straps that held the baby’s legs in place had a tendency to tear, allowing the young child to fall through. Although it eventually came to light that Aqua-Leisure knew about the problem since at least 2003, the company did not recall the product until 2009—after there had been at least 30 drowning deaths.

 

Aqua Dots. Aqua Dots were a popular type of arts and crafts bead in 2007, until the Consumer Product Safety Commission discovered that the beads were coated in a chemical that, when swallowed, would metabolize into gamma hydroxy-buturate (better known as the date rape drug). Children who ingested the beads experienced symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases even went into a comatose state, and Aqua Dots’ manufacturer was forced to recall the product.

 

Lawn Darts. As you can probably imagine, a toy with extremely sharp, weighted points that children could throw around the yard was never a good idea, yet lawn darts became a popular product in the 1980s. Lawn darts caused the death of at least 3 children, and they were actually banned in the US once in the ‘80s, but the manufacturer challenged the ban and was able to continue selling the product as long as they were only marketed to adults. A father who lost his daughter in a lawn dart accident eventually convinced the CPSC to ban lawn darts outright and pull them from store shelves.

 

Product Recall - Lawn Darts

Cabbage Patch Snacktime Dolls. Cabbage Patch dolls were all the rage in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but one type of doll that was designed to “eat” small snacks using a motor turned out to be seriously dangerous. The problem was that the motor was triggered not just by snacks, but by children’s hair and fingers, and there was no power switch to stop the doll from causing injury. Mattel announced a voluntary recall on the dolls in 1997.

 

Make Sure Your Child Isn’t Playing with Recalled Toys

 

Make Sure Your Child Isn’t Playing with Recalled Toys

Wondering if any of your child’s seemingly innocuous toys pose a potential danger? Unfortunately, product recalls aren’t always as widely promoted as they should be, so you may have to be proactive to determine if any of your child’s toys have been recalled. You can search for the product by checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission website or by using the Toy Recall Finder on Parents.com. If you discover that a toy has been recalled, get rid of it or return it to the company as soon as possible.

 

If your child is injured by a product that has either been recalled or should be recalled, seek medical attention and contact a personal injury attorney. Although it can be hard to think about taking legal action after your child has been harmed, filing a lawsuit against a negligent manufacturer may be the most effective way to ensure that your family receives compensation—and that the product is pulled from shelves before it can harm anyone else.