Tampa's Defective Product Attorneys — We Trace the Supply Chain and Sue Every Party Responsible
When a product injures you, the company that made it, the distributor that shipped it, and the retailer that sold it may all share legal responsibility. Our defective product attorneys in Tampa have spent decades holding manufacturers accountable under Florida's strict liability laws — and we know how to build these cases from the ground up.
Florida Product Liability Law Holds the Entire Supply Chain Responsible
Most people assume the company whose name is on the box is the only party they can pursue. Under Florida product liability law, that's rarely the case. Manufacturers, component suppliers, distributors, and retail sellers can all be named as defendants — and our attorneys identify every link in the chain before we file.
Strict liability is the legal standard that makes this possible. You don't have to prove that a company was careless. You only have to prove that the product was defective and that the defect caused your injury. That distinction matters enormously when you're up against a major manufacturer with a legal team of its own.
Three Types of Product Defects — and Why the Distinction Matters
Florida product liability claims fall into three recognized categories. Understanding which type applies to your situation shapes how we build your case and who we hold liable.
- Design defect: The product was dangerous before it was ever manufactured. Every unit off the line carried the same flaw because the design itself was flawed. These cases often involve entire product lines and multiple plaintiffs.
- Manufacturing defect: The design was sound, but something went wrong during production. A specific batch, unit, or component deviated from the intended design and caused harm as a result.
- Failure to warn: The product carried a known risk that was never disclosed to consumers. If a manufacturer or seller knew about a hazard and failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions, they can be held liable even if the product performed as designed.
Each theory requires a different evidentiary approach. Our attorneys assess the facts of your injury, review the product's history, and determine which theory — or combination of theories — gives you the strongest path to recovery.
A Product Recall Is an Admission — We Know How to Use It
If the product that injured you was later recalled, that recall notice is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence in a product liability case. A recall means the manufacturer, a regulatory agency, or both identified a defect serious enough to pull the product from the market. That is not a coincidence — it is documentation of a known problem.
Our attorneys use Consumer Product Safety Commission filings, recall notices, internal manufacturer communications, and industry safety standards to establish that a defect existed, that it was foreseeable, and that the company had an obligation to act before you were hurt. If they knew — and the recall record shows they did — that knowledge is central to your claim.
Company Size Is Not a Defense Under Strict Liability
One of the most common reasons injured consumers don't pursue a product liability claim is the belief that the manufacturer is too large to fight. We've heard it many times, and it isn't accurate. Strict liability exists precisely to level that imbalance.
When we take a defective product case, we pursue every party in the distribution chain — not just the most recognizable name. That means additional defendants, additional insurance coverage, and a more complete accounting of who profited from putting a dangerous product in your hands. Our Tampa product liability lawyers have gone up against major manufacturers and national distributors. The size of the company on the other side doesn't change what the law requires of them.
What Our Product Liability Attorneys Do for You
From the moment you bring us your case, we take on the investigative and legal work so you can focus on recovering. Product liability cases require early action — evidence disappears, products get destroyed, and statutes of limitations run on a fixed clock.
- Identify all potentially liable parties across the supply chain
- Preserve the defective product and document the defect through expert analysis
- Obtain recall records, CPSC filings, and manufacturer safety documentation
- Retain engineering and medical experts to support your claim
- Calculate the full value of your damages: medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs
- Negotiate with manufacturers' insurers and litigate when settlement doesn't reflect what your case is worth
We handle these cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Defective Product Claims in Florida
Who can I sue if a defective product injured me in Florida?
Florida's product liability law allows you to pursue any party in the product's chain of distribution — the manufacturer, component suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, and retail sellers. All of them may share liability under strict liability theory, and our attorneys identify every responsible party before filing.Do I have to prove the company was negligent to win a product liability case?
No. Under strict liability, you don't have to prove that the manufacturer or seller was careless. You need to establish that the product was defective, that the defect existed when the product left the defendant's control, and that the defect caused your injury. This is a lower burden than traditional negligence and is one of the most important protections Florida law provides to injured consumers.The product that hurt me was later recalled. Does that strengthen my case?
Yes, significantly. A recall is formal documentation that a defect was identified and acknowledged — often by the manufacturer itself or by a federal safety agency. Our attorneys use recall records, CPSC filings, and related communications as direct evidence that the defect existed and was foreseeable before your injury occurred.How long do I have to file a product liability claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for product liability claims is generally two years from the date of injury. There are limited exceptions, but waiting reduces your ability to preserve evidence and document the defect. If you were recently injured by a defective product, contacting an attorney as soon as possible protects your options.I was hurt by a defective product at work. Can I file both a workers' comp claim and a product liability claim?
Yes, and this is an important distinction. If a defective piece of equipment, machinery, or tool caused your workplace injury, you may have two separate claims: a workers' compensation claim against your employer's insurer and a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the defective product. These claims run on parallel tracks and are not mutually exclusive. Our firm handles both, which means we can evaluate the full picture and pursue every avenue of recovery available to you.What damages can I recover in a Florida product liability case?
Recoverable damages typically include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and costs related to long-term care or disability. In cases involving egregious manufacturer conduct — such as knowingly concealing a defect — punitive damages may also be available. Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and the strength of the evidence.
The Attorneys Handling Your Personal Injury Case
Personal injury litigation at Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian is led by three attorneys whose backgrounds bring distinct strengths to every case.
Kelly Barcia Nunez
Kelly Barcia Nunez is a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney and founding partner with more than 30 years of litigation experience. Her command of Florida injury law and her direct client communication style have made her one of the firm's most trusted advocates for accident victims.
L. Gray Sanders
L. Gray Sanders spent time on the defense side of civil litigation before joining the firm, which means he approaches every personal injury case understanding exactly how the opposing carrier will evaluate and contest it. That inside knowledge shapes case strategy from the first file review.
Kristen Emerson
Kristen Emerson holds a nursing degree alongside her law license. In personal injury cases involving serious physical injuries, disputed diagnoses, or contested medical causation, her clinical background is a concrete advantage — she understands what happened to your body, not just what the records say.
Hurt by a Defective Product? Talk to Our Tampa Attorneys Today.
You didn't cause this injury — a product that should have been safe did. Our defective product attorneys in Tampa are ready to review your case, explain your options, and pursue every party responsible for what happened to you. The consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we win.