People use numerous products on a daily basis, taking for granted that those products are safe. Unfortunately, most consumers do not know that many products are inherently dangerous and may cause a person using the product to sustain serious injuries. If you were injured while using a defective product, it is crucial to meet with an experienced Fort Lauderdale product liability lawyer to discuss the claims that you may be able to pursue against the parties responsible for your harm. Joseph I. Lipsky is a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who has more than twenty-seven years of experience helping injured people recover compensation when they are injured by an improperly designed or malfunctioning product, and he will zealously pursue all damages that you may be owed. Mr. Lipsky represents people injured by unsafe products throughout South Florida, Florida and across the United States.
Under Florida law, any party that makes, distributes, or sells a product can be held liable for harm caused by the product. Product liability claims are similar to other personal injury claims in that generally they must be filed within four years of the date of the alleged harm. If it is not immediately apparent that a defective product caused the harm, however, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the cause of the harm was or should have been discovered. In most cases, though, a victim cannot pursue a product liability claim more than 12 years after he or she purchased the defective product.
Product liability lawsuits may assert both negligence and strict liability claims against a defendant. To prove that a defendant should be held strictly liable for harm caused by a defective product, a product liability attorney in Fort Lauderdale must show that the victim sustained bodily injuries or property damage that was caused by the use of the product, and the product had a defect that rendered it unreasonably dangerous. Specifically, they must show that the product was either defectively designed or defectively manufactured, or that the manufacturer of the product was aware of certain risks associated with the typical use of the product but neglected to warn consumers. Additionally, the injured person must not have altered or modified the product in any way after it was purchased, and he or she must have been using the product in the manner in which it was intended to be used. Product liability claims are complex, and in most cases, it will be necessary to retain an expert to testify regarding the dangerous nature of the product.
If you were injured by a defective product, your Fort Lauderdale product liability attorney may be able to recoup compensation for any economic losses that you suffered due to your injury. For example, you may be owed the cost of any medical treatment that you underwent for your harm and the cost of related expenses, such as adaptive devices and prescriptions. You may also be able to recover the cost of any treatment that you are likely to need in the future. If you were unable to earn an income because of your injuries, you might be owed damages for lost wages and loss of future earnings as well. In addition to compensation for your economic harm, you may be awarded damages for the mental anguish and pain and suffering caused by your injuries. If you were married at the time of your injuries, your spouse may be able to seek damages for their loss of your companionship and services.
Even if they are used properly, dangerously designed products can cause substantial and long-term harm. If you were injured by a defective product, you should consult a skilled personal injury attorney regarding your potential claims. Joseph I. Lipsky is a seasoned product liability lawyer in the Fort Lauderdale area with the knowledge and experience needed to help you seek the best possible outcome under the facts of your case. Mr. Lipsky frequently assists victims in product liability lawsuits in Broward, Orange, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, including in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Miami, and Key West. You can contact us through the form online or at 1-888-352-5298 to set up a confidential and free consultation.