What is the “state of knowledge” defense to a product liability claim?
The “state of knowledge” defense to a product liability claim in Florida is a defense based on the knowledge of the manufacturer at the time the product was manufactured. The state of knowledge defense states that a manufacturer should not be held liable for product defects that it did not know about and could not have reasonably known about when designing and manufacturing the product. In order to successfully use this defense, the manufacturer must be able to prove that it used the most current technology and available knowledge when designing the product when it was made. Additionally, the manufacturer must demonstrate that it exercised due care in producing the product and that it was not negligent in its design or manufacture of the product. The state of knowledge defense is an important defense for manufacturers in Florida, as it allows them to escape responsibility for product defects that they could not possibly have known or foreseen. This defense is especially helpful in cases involving complex products, such as medical devices and automobiles, where the flaws may not be easily detected and identified. However, it is important to note that the state of knowledge defense will not protect the manufacturer from liability if the product had a known defect or if the manufacturer recklessly disregarded any warnings about the product that would have been known to them at the time of manufacture. In these cases, they may be held liable for product defects even if the product was designed using the latest technological advancements.
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