Ford Motor Company recently announced the recalls of more than a million of its F-150 pickup trucks due to faulty door latches.  According to the company’s official website devoted to the pick-up truck recalls, over 1.3 million Ford model year 2015-17 F-150 and model year 2017 Super Duty trucks have been recalled by the company in North America to add a water shield to the trucks’ side door latch.  In the recalled vehicles, either a frozen door latch or a bent cable could result in a door that will not open or close.  In addition, the recall notice also warns that a truck’s door may appear closed, but the latch may not fully engage the door striker, leaving the door not fully closed.  This could be catastrophic, as it could lead to someone falling out of a moving car.  Ford claims it is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.  Nevertheless, even if the company’s claim is true, this door latch problem is a very serious issue that could harm to consumers in Florida and across the United States.

 

Legal Claims Based on Recalls of Unsafe or Defective Products under Florida Law

 

Under Florida law, Florida residents may have a legal claim against an automobile manufacturer like Ford if the manufacturer makes and markets an unsafe product.  Under Florida Statute Section 768.81, a Florida resident can bring a products liability action against an automobile manufacturer “based upon a theory of strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, nuisance, or similar theories for damages caused by the manufacture, construction, design, formulation, installation, preparation, or assembly of a product.”  In such a case, the consumer can recover past and future lost income; medical expenses; lost support and services; the replacement value of the recalled vehicle; and any other economic losses due to the defectively designed or recalled car.  In addition, the consumer also could recover for any pain and suffering the consumer suffered due to the defect in the recalled automobile.  In the case of the recalled Ford trucks, a Florida consumer who is injured as a result of the failure of the defective door latches on the recalled F-150 trucks potentially may have a claim against Ford Motor Company based on the trucks’ safety latch defects.

 

Contact Lytal Reiter if You Have Been Injured In Connection with a Recalled Vehicle

 

If you, a family member or a loved one has been injured in connection with a recalled vehicle like the recently recalled Ford F-150 trucks, contact the experienced personal injury and product liability lawyers of Lytal Reiter Smith Ivey & Fronrath today at (561) 655-1990.  The lawyers of our firm have successfully sued automobile manufacturers in the past for defective products and product liability claims, including accidents involving airbag defects, tire failures, seatbelt failures, and other issues.  Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your rights under Florida law and your situation if you purchased a Ford F-150 truck or any other recalled motor vehicle.