What is the “learned intermediary doctrine”?
In Florida, the "learned intermediary doctrine" is a legal doctrine applied to products liability law. This doctrine states that manufacturers of products have a duty to provide adequate warnings to medical professionals, rather than to consumers, about the risks of using their products. This doctrine was set in place to protect manufacturers from being held liable for injuries suffered by consumers due to a lack of proper warnings. The doctrine acknowledges that medical professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists, should have the specialized knowledge needed to inform their patients of any potential risks prior to prescribing, administering, or selling a product. The manufacturers are then able to rely on these professionals to properly inform their patients and be held liable for any injuries suffered if the warnings are inadequate. The learned intermediary doctrine can be a powerful tool used by manufacturers in products liability cases. Without this doctrine, manufacturers would be held responsible for any injuries suffered by the general public due to their products. This could lead to massive civil lawsuits and an increase in insurance premiums. The learned intermediary doctrine is an important component of Florida products liability law that helps protect manufacturers from being held liable for injuries suffered by consumers. This doctrine also ensures that medical professionals possess the necessary knowledge to inform their patients of any potential risks associated with a product prior to use.
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