Miami Workplace Product Liability Claims

Miami is one of the busiest cities in Florida, with a diverse workforce in construction, hospitality, healthcare, shipping, and service industries. With so many tools, machines, appliances, and equipment in use every day, it’s no surprise that workers sometimes get injured when defective products malfunction.

Many employees assume workers’ compensation is the only remedy after a workplace accident. While workers’ comp can help with medical bills and lost wages, it generally does not cover damages like pain and suffering or full loss of earning capacity. If a defective product played a role in the injury, workers in Miami may also be able to bring a product liability claim against the product’s manufacturer, distributor, or seller.

At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we represent workers and families in Miami who were harmed by unsafe or defective products. Our goal is to help victims pursue every possible avenue for recovery under Florida law.

What Is Product Liability in the Workplace?

Product liability is an area of law that holds manufacturers and sellers responsible when their products cause injury. In the workplace setting, defective products can include:

• Heavy machinery and construction equipment
• Safety gear such as helmets, gloves, or harnesses
• Household appliances used in commercial kitchens
• Electronics with lithium-ion batteries
• Medical equipment in healthcare environments

Unlike workers’ comp, which is limited and no-fault, product liability claims require showing that the product was defective and contributed to the accident. These cases may allow injured workers to recover broader damages.

Types of Defects in Miami Workplace Product Cases

Under Florida law, there are three primary categories of product defects:

1. Design Defects – The product was inherently dangerous due to its design, even when used correctly.
   • Example: A power saw lacking proper blade guards.
2. Manufacturing Defects – Something went wrong in the production process, making the product unsafe.
   • Example: A construction ladder with a cracked weld.
3. Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects) – The product did not include adequate instructions or warnings.
   • Example: A chemical cleaner with no warning about toxic fumes.

Common Defective Products That Cause Workplace Injuries in Miami

1. Kitchen and Hospitality Appliances

Miami’s thriving hospitality industry uses industrial pressure cookers, deep fryers, ovens, and coffee machines daily. Defective appliances may explode, release scalding steam, or cause electrical shocks. For example, a restaurant worker in Little Havana could suffer burns if a pressure cooker lid fails to lock properly.

2. Gas-Powered Tools and Equipment

Miami construction sites and warehouses often use gas heaters, welders, or powered forklifts. Defective gas valves or seals may lead to explosions, fires, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Construction Machinery

Construction remains a core part of Miami’s growth. Workers may rely on cranes, lifts, forklifts, and nail guns. Defects may cause:

• Cranes to tip over
• Forklifts to lose braking function
• Nail guns to fire without the trigger being pulled

4. Safety Gear

Protective equipment is supposed to reduce risk. If a harness buckle snaps while a worker is repairing a high-rise near Brickell, or if a helmet cracks during impact, the gear may be considered defective.

5. Lithium-Ion Batteries

From power tools on construction sites to laptops in office spaces, lithium-ion batteries are increasingly linked to fires and explosions. In one scenario, a Miami office worker could suffer burns when a laptop battery overheats and ignites.

6. Medical Equipment

In Miami hospitals and clinics, defective infusion pumps, respirators, or protective masks can expose healthcare workers to serious harm.

How Miami Workplaces Increase Exposure to Product Risks

Miami’s economy is unique, with industries that depend heavily on equipment, machinery, and consumer products:

• Construction & Real Estate Development – Ongoing projects across Downtown, Wynwood, and Miami Beach.
• Hospitality & Tourism – Hotels, restaurants, cruise ports, and catering businesses.
• Healthcare – Major hospitals like Jackson Memorial and Baptist Health facilities.
• Shipping & Trade – PortMiami uses forklifts, cranes, and heavy transport equipment daily.

In each of these industries, defective products can cause devastating injuries.

Miami Case Scenarios (Illustrative)

• A restaurant worker in South Beach suffers burns when a defective fryer overheats.
• A construction worker near Coral Gables falls when a harness strap breaks due to poor stitching.
• A PortMiami employee is injured when a forklift malfunctions due to faulty brakes.
• An office worker in Downtown Miami suffers burns when a lithium-ion battery in a laptop explodes.

Florida Law on Product Liability in the Workplace

Florida law allows workers to bring claims against manufacturers and sellers of defective products. Some key points:

• Strict Liability – In many cases, you don’t need to prove negligence, only that the product was defective and caused injury.
• Comparative Fault – Even if a worker misused the product slightly, recovery may still be possible if the misuse was foreseeable.
• Statute of Limitations – In Florida, product liability lawsuits generally must be filed within two years of the injury.
• Workers’ Comp Interaction – You may pursue both workers’ comp benefits and a product liability claim.

What Compensation May Be Available

In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, product liability claims in Miami may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or scarring
• Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages if the product caused a fatality

Steps to Take After a Product-Related Workplace Injury

1. Seek medical care immediately and document your injuries.
2. Preserve the product — do not throw it away or repair it.
3. Report the injury to your employer for workers’ comp purposes.
4. Take photos and gather records, including manuals, receipts, and witness information.
5. Contact an attorney who handles both product liability and workplace injury cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get workers’ compensation if I sue the manufacturer?
Yes. Workers’ comp covers employer liability, while manufacturers or distributors may still be held accountable.

What if I misused the product?
You may still have a case if the misuse was foreseeable or if proper warnings were missing.

Do I need to prove the manufacturer was negligent?
Not always. Florida recognizes strict liability for defective products.

What if the product was purchased years ago?
As long as the defect existed at the time of sale and caused injury, you may still have a claim.

Can I bring a claim if the product was rented or supplied by my employer?
Yes. Even if your employer provided the product, you may have a claim against the manufacturer or distributor.

How long do these cases take?
Some resolve in months, while others may take longer if expert analysis and litigation are required.

What if the defective product caused a death?
Surviving family members may bring a wrongful death product liability lawsuit in addition to workers’ compensation death benefits.

Are Miami courts favorable for product liability claims?
Many workplace product liability disputes are filed in Miami-Dade County courts or federal court if multiple parties are from different states.

Do I have to pay upfront for a lawyer?
At our firm, we handle product liability cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay no fees or costs unless we recover for you.

Contact a Miami Product Liability Attorney

If you were hurt at work in Miami because of a defective product, you may have legal rights beyond workers’ compensation. The Law Offices of Jason Turchin represents injured workers and families in Miami and across Florida in product liability claims involving unsafe tools, machines, appliances, and equipment.

Our team handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you.

📞 Call 800-337-7755 today or start a live chat at jasonturchin.com to learn more about your rights.