If you or a loved one suffered injury from a product in Jacksonville, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to discuss your accident. Our defective products lawyers help injured victims hold manufacturers and other parties along the supply chain financially liable for preventable injuries that result from defective products. Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers can help you recover your losses and expenses, too.
Despite product safety regulations, many defective products enter the market. People sustain severe and even fatal injuries from defectively designed or manufactured everyday items, tools, and equipment—even when they use them with care.
Manufacturers, Their Legal Obligation, And Defective Products
Manufacturers have a legal duty to distribute reasonably safe products, provide necessary instructions for use, and adequately warn consumers of risks. When they fall short of these basic standards and consumers, suffer injury as a result, manufacturers can be liable for the harm their products cause.
Am I Eligible To File An Injury Claim?
Florida law provides certain protections for consumers, allowing them to pursue compensation from businesses whose products cause them harm. Various legal theories determine how you and your lawyer approach your case, from negligence to breach of warranty. At a minimum, to qualify to file a claim and recover damages for a defective product case, you must be able to prove the following:
- The product was defective;
- You suffered an injury and sustained damages;
- The product was the cause of your injuries, and
- You were using the product correctly and for its intended use.
We can help you establish that the manufacturer is at fault and take care of other aspects of your case. You have been through enough pain and stress. You worry about getting better; we’ll care for everything else. We will file your claim and/or lawsuit, collect evidence, communicate with all involved parties on your behalf, speak with witnesses, and more. You are not alone, and we want to bring you justice and compensation.
What Is A “Defective” Product?
There are a few ways the courts will deem a product defective.
A Defect In The Design Of The Product
When product engineers make errors or oversights in the design process and wind up developing an inherently dangerous product, it opens the manufacturer up to liability, even when they follow the blueprint during manufacturing.
An example of a defective design is a line of hair curling irons with a design flaw that causes them to short out and shock the user when the iron is on a high setting.
A Defect Caused By A Manufacturing Error
A product can also become defective when there are errors made during the manufacturing or assembly process. The product’s design may be correct, but an error occurred sometime during production.
An example of defective manufacturing is a batch of over-the-counter cough syrup contaminated by a toxic substance during production.
Failing To Inform The Customers How To Use The Product Properly
Another common type of product liability claim involves a manufacturer’s “failure to warn.” When a manufacturer fails to provide consumers with adequate warnings or instructions about the product’s proper use, it puts the user at risk for injury.
An example of failure to warn is a strong household cleaner packaged without instructions for safe use or a caution label regarding proper ventilation.
What Does A Defective Product Claim Entail?
The claims process involves several necessary steps.
- First, we will discuss the details of your accident with you and gather the basic facts.
- Then, we investigate the cause of the mishap, talk to product engineers, and obtain experts’ opinions on the defect and how the product malfunctioned.
- Next, we determine which party is responsible for the problem. Often, it is the product manufacturer, but the blame can also lie with another party along the supply chain, such as an outsourced packaging plant, material loaders, distributors, or retailers.
- Once we have access to all this information, we will initiate an injury claim with the defendant’s liability insurer.
- With your help, we will also begin calculating your damages. Our team will review your bills, receipts, medical records, prognoses, income history, and other documents to gauge the total economic loss you have sustained and will sustain as a result of the accident. When tallying your current and future economic losses, we will also factor in your non-economic losses, like pain and suffering, associated with your injury.
- Once we know how much your claim is worth, we will send a demand letter to the defendant requesting fair compensation.
- We will review any offers the insurance company provides, counsel you on whether they are fair and reasonable, and, if necessary, negotiate for a more significant sum.
- We can finalize the documents and await your settlement check if you receive a fair offer. If we cannot reach a fair settlement or if the manufacturer or insurer tries to thwart liability or minimize your damages, we will take the case to court and continue fighting for a sufficient award.
Do I Need An Attorney To File A Defective Product Claim?
While you do not need a lawyer to file a defective product claim, having one in your corner can be beneficial. Big-money manufacturers hire teams of defense attorneys to make their legal problems go away. They typically deny responsibility and either pin the blame on the consumer or offer lowball settlements to avoid expensive payouts and negative press.
Most people simply don’t have the legal knowledge, time, or inclination to fight these types of claims. Keep in mind that the above description of the claims process is very simplified—claims often become exceptionally complex and tangential. Without counsel, you might give up too easily, make mistakes with the legal process, or settle for far less than what your case is actually worth.
You want to ensure that your claim progresses correctly, you receive fair treatment, and you obtain the best settlement or verdict possible. Enlist the help of a determined Jacksonville defective products lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
You Have A Limited Time To Pursue Compensation In Florida
Do not wait to take action.Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a) states that you generally have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Four years seems like a long time, but plenty of work is needed to build a strong case. There is evidence to gather and witnesses to speak with. Allow one of our lawyers to get the ball rolling today. The sooner we get started, the better.
We Take Our Personal Injury Cases On Contingency
We want to help victims of defective products get the compensation they deserve regardless of their financial situation. You pay nothing upfront if you hire one of our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers. Our lawyers get paid when they recover a settlement or judgment for you, and the fees come from your award, not your pocket.
Seek Medical Attention After Suffering Injuries Due To A Defective Product
Do not attempt to assess your injuries on your own. Only a physician can properly diagnose your complications and provide an appropriate treatment plan. Make sure you follow through with your treatment plan, as well. If you delay or forgo medical care, an insurer may try to claim you contributed to your losses.
Our Jacksonville defective products attorneys can use your medical records and bills to build your case. For example, they may discover that you will require ongoing medical care. If so, you will want your potential settlement offer to account for these future losses.
Get A Free Consultation With A Defective Product Attorney In Jacksonville
Atthe Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to consumers in Jacksonville who have suffered injury from a defective product. Call our office to discuss your eligibility and options today. A compassionate team member is eager to hear about your case and help. We offer responsive legal care.
We Can Help.
