Product Liability Lawyer Melbourne, FL
Our Melbourne product liability lawyers help people who are injured by defective, dangerous, or improperly labeled products hold responsible manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable. At Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson PLLC, our Melbourne product liability attorneys represent clients throughout Brevard County and recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses when a consumer product causes serious harm.
If you or someone you loved was injured by a product defect, call 321-725-3425 for a free consultation.
Product liability cases can involve negotiations with corporate legal teams for settlements or litigation for jury awards. Our personal injury law firm focuses on product liability as a core practice area. We’ve spent over two decades fighting for injured parties across Florida, and we bring that same trial-ready approach to defective product cases. Product liability cases are often complex, involving major corporate defendants, engineering experts, and aggressive insurance companies. We have the local knowledge of Brevard County courts and the resources to stand up to large manufacturers on behalf of everyday people from Melbourne to Titusville.
What Is Product Liability Under Florida Law?
Product liability is a personal injury case type allowing injured parties to seek compensation when a consumer product causes harm. Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers can be liable for consumer injuries.
In 1976, Florida adopted strict product liability in the landmark case West v. Caterpillar Tractor Co.(1976). This means the plaintiff doesn’t have to prove the company was negligent, only that the company produced or sold a defective or dangerous product.
There are three recognized types of product defects in a Brevard County product liability claim:
- Design defects: Dangers are inherent in the design, not the manufacturing process.
- Manufacturing defects: Safe design, but a manufacturing error made a specific unit dangerous.
- Marketing defects (failure to warn): Lacking adequate instructions, safety warnings, or labeling about known risks.
Identifying whether a marketing, design, or manufacturing defect applies, and which company is legally responsible, requires careful investigation. Our product liability lawyers in Melbourne, FL, work with engineers, safety experts, and medical professionals to build a clear, evidence-based case.
Our Personal Injury Law Firm Helps Victims Injured By a Defective Product Across Brevard County
Our Brevard County product liability team handles cases involving a wide range of dangerous and recalled products, including:
Defective Auto Parts & Vehicle Components
Faulty brakes, defective airbags, tire blowouts, and failed seatbelts can turn a minor crash into a catastrophic accident. When vehicle defects cause or worsen the outcome, the manufacturers may share liability alongside the at-fault driver. These product liability cases often overlap with our Melbourne car accident claims practice. If your vehicle or component has been recalled in the NHTSA recall database, or if you believe a faulty vehicle component contributed to your injuries, contact our product liability lawyers in Melbourne, FL, to discuss your case.
Dangerous Drugs & Defective Medical Devices
Prescription medications with undisclosed side effects, contaminated drugs, and defective implants such as hip replacements, hernia mesh, and IVC filters injure thousands of patients every year. The FDA’s recall list tracks many of these products. Because these injuries are often permanent, related claims may also fall under our serious and catastrophic injury representation.
Exploding Batteries, E-Cigarettes, & Electronics
Lithium-ion batteries in e-cigarettes, phones, e-bikes, and hoverboards can overheat, explode, or catch fire, causing severe burns and disfigurement. These rapidly evolving products are a growing source of product liability claims across the Space Coast.
Defective Consumer & Household Products
15 million Americans are treated annually in emergency rooms for injuries caused by consumer household items, while one in six Americans gets sick from contaminated food. Our product liability lawyers in Melbourne, FL, commonly handle cases involving fire and burn hazards from appliances and electronics, children’s and baby products, furniture and decor, tools and machinery, household cleaning items, and contaminated food and drinks.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defective Product in Brevard County?
One of the advantages of a product liability claim is that strict liability can extend to every business in the chain of distribution. A Melbourne product liability lawyer can help determine which of the following bears responsibility for medical bills, lost income, and other losses:
- Manufacturers
- Wholesalers and distributors
- Retailers
- Designers and engineers
Multiple parties may share responsibility, so these cases often involve negotiating with several insurers and defense teams. Our product liability lawyers investigate to make sure victims’ injuries are fully covered.
How Florida’s Comparative Negligence Law Affects Product Liability Claims
The state follows a modified comparative negligence standard. The claimant can recover compensation if they are found to be 50% or less responsible. If the person is over 50% liable, they’re barred from recovery. Manufacturers often try to blame the consumer to reduce payments, which is why having an experienced product liability lawyer in Melbourne, FL, is important when seeking justice from major corporations.
Florida Statute of Limitations: How Long Do You Have to File?
The statute of limitations in Florida depends on which type of claim you’re filing:
- Strict liability: 4 years from the date of the injury or the date the product defect was discovered under § 95.11(3)(d)
- Negligence-based claims: 2 years for incidents after March 24, 2023.
- Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of the person’s death
If a defective or dangerous product or the resulting harm isn’t immediately obvious, like conditions that develop after long-term exposure, for example, the statute of limitations may be paused under the discovery rule.
Speak with a Melbourne product liability attorney quickly to determine your legal rights. Legal guidance is crucial to avoid missing deadlines in these types of suits.
Compensation in Melbourne, FL Product Liability Cases
When a person is injured by a defective product, the financial toll is often overwhelming. A product liability lawyer in Melbourne, FL, can help seek compensation, which can include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including emergency medical attention, hospitalization, surgery, therapy, and long-term care
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Disfigurement and permanent disability
- Property damage caused by the defective product
- Wrongful death damages
If a dangerous product caused a fatal injury, our Melbourne wrongful death attorneys can help your family pursue justice and recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the profound loss you have suffered.
Melbourne Product Liability Lawyers Serving All of Brevard County
Our product liability attorneys in Melbourne, Florida, represent clients in defective product cases across the Space Coast, including:
- Melbourne, West Melbourne, and Palm Bay
- Titusville, Cocoa, and Rockledge
- Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, and Cape Canaveral
- Viera, Suntree, and Satellite Beach
- Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, and Melbourne Beach
Wherever you are in Brevard County, our product liability team is skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and is prepared to take cases to trial in order to secure justice. We handle related cases stemming from unsafe Brevard County property conditions and problems with Melbourne insurance carriers acting in bad faith.
Why Choose Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson PLLC
Product liability cases are not easy. Manufacturers and their insurers have substantial legal resources, and they fight hard to avoid paying claims. Our Melbourne personal injury firm levels the playing field by:
- Preparing every case for trial, not just for settlement
- Partnering with engineering and medical experts to prove how a defect caused your injury
- Working on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless we recover for you
- Providing direct attorney access and clear communication at every stage
Our product liability lawyers understand the weight a serious injury places on a family, and we are committed to pursuing the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.
Contact a Melbourne Dangerous Product Lawyer For a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was hurt by a defective or dangerous product in Brevard County, our product liability lawyers are ready to help. Call 321-725-3425 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation today. There are no fees unless we win your case.
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