Jacksonville Product Liability Attorneys

Representing Victims of Dangerous & Defective Products in FL

As consumers, we trust companies to ensure their products are safe for use while adhering to regulations. Unfortunately, many people are injured or killed every year by defective and dangerous products, from motor vehicle defects to contaminated foods. If you were harmed by a dangerous or defective product, you deserve compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. 

That’s why our Jacksonville attorneys are committed to pursuing justice for the wrongfully injured in product liability lawsuits. With over 150+ years of combined experience and a comprehensive knowledge of Florida’s product liability laws, you can trust Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. to aggressively protect your rights while holding careless parties accountable for negligence. When you partner with us, we’ll work tirelessly to ensure you’re compensated fairly for the injustice you’ve suffered. 

Injured by a defective or dangerous product? Our attorneys can help you pursue justice. Call (904) 295-1050 to schedule a free consultation.

What Constitutes a Defective or Dangerous Product?

Under Florida’s product liability laws, a “defective product” is defined as any product that is unreasonably dangerous when used for its intended purpose, such as due to design flaws, manufacturing defects, or insufficient instructions. 

Defective products can be extremely unsafe for consumers, resulting in severe injuries, lifelong disabilities, and even death. 

Common examples of dangerous and defective products include: 

• Toys: Toys may have design defects that pose a choking hazard for children, such as sharp edges or small parts. Many children’s toys get recalled every year due to toxic materials and other defects in their manufacturing, increasing the risk of injury and death for the children using them. 
• Pharmaceutical products: Medications and other pharmaceutical products are a common type of defective product. From inadequate warnings to undisclosed side effects, dangerous drugs often result from pharmaceutical negligence, leading to severe injuries and adverse health effects for patients. 
• Automobiles: Defective cars are very hazardous for drivers, increasing the risk of harm and fatalities on Florida roads. Common defects in motor vehicles include faulty brakes, defective airbags, or malfunctioning seat belts.
• Medical devices: Certain medical devices, such as pacemakers, artificial joints, or surgical tools, can result in serious harm to patients due to manufacturing defects or inadequate testing. 
• Household appliances: Household times, such as microwaves, washing machines, and heaters, can be defective if they pose a risk of fire, electrical shock, or other harm when used as intended.
• Food products: Certain foods, such as poultry at the supermarket or improperly cooked food in restaurants, can be defective due to contamination and harmful bacteria, leading to foodborne illnesses. 

Who Is Liable for Defective Products?

Depending on the circumstances, various parties may be liable for defective and dangerous products in Florida. 

Common examples of liable parties include:

• Retailers
• Marketers
• Distributors 
• Manufacturers
• Design engineers
• Quality control teams

Product defects can result in severe injuries for consumers, putting their health and well-being at risk. 

Below are some common types of product defects:   

Design Defects

Design defects refer to inherent flaws in the intentional design of a product that make it unreasonably dangerous, even when used correctly. For example, if a car model is designed with a gas tank that explodes upon impact, this would be considered a design defect. Any party involved in the design process can potentially be liable for defective products if their negligence contributed to the design defect, such as engineers who drafted the design or companies that provided faulty design specifications.

Failure to Warn

“Failure to warn” refers to products lacking sufficient warnings or labels for risks associated with its use. 

This can occur when a company or individual fails to: 

• Provide adequate instructions for product use;
• Disclose potential hazards of a product; or
• Include warnings about adverse reactions or interactions associated with the product.

Distributors and manufacturers are obligated to ensure their products carry appropriate and explicit warnings about any possible risks. This duty extends to situations where the manufacturer learns about a hazard after the product is already on the market. 

Manufacturing Defects

A manufacturing defect is an error made during item production, rendering it dangerous. Even if the product's design is technically safe, mistakes during manufacturing can make the product unsafe for consumers. Common examples include improper assembly, using substandard materials, and contamination during manufacturing. While the manufacturer is usually liable in these cases, any entity in the chain of distribution may be responsible, from the company that supplied materials to the retailer that sold the product.

How Long Do I Have to File a Product Liability Claim? 

In Florida, the statute of limitations in product liability lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. Keep in mind that this date can vary based on the discovery rule, meaning the two-year period begins from the time the harm was discovered or should have reasonably been discovered. 

In many cases, the harm resulting from defective products—such as certain illnesses and health conditions—evolves over time, leading to adverse effects well after the product was initially used or purchased. In these circumstances, the two-year timer won’t start ticking until the victim is aware of the harm (or should have reasonably been aware of it). 

Understanding the Pure Comparative Negligence Rule

Florida follows the pure comparative negligence rule. This means if the victim is partially at fault for an accident, they can still bring a lawsuit, but any damages awarded will be reduced in proportion to the fault. For example, if the plaintiff is awarded $100,000 in damages but was 10% at fault for a defective product injury, recoverable damages may be reduced to $90,000. 

If you were injured due to negligence, our firm can help you demand justice. Contact us online to discuss your case with a skilled Jacksonville attorney.