Miami Furniture Tip Over Accident Lawyer | Florida Furniture Injury Attorney

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we understand the devastating consequences that can arise from furniture tip-over accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a tipping piece of furniture, you may have a valid legal claim for compensation. Our experienced Miami personal injury lawyers are committed to holding negligent manufacturers, retailers, or property owners accountable for the harm caused by unsafe furniture.

Our Miami furniture tip over lawyers are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations, and you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case. Call us today at (305) 638-4143 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Let us help you hold the negligent parties accountable and secure the financial recovery you need to move forward.

The Dangers of Furniture Tip-Overs

Furniture tip-over accidents, especially involving heavy items such as dressers, bookshelves, and televisions, pose a significant risk of severe injury or even death, particularly to young children. These accidents are often preventable with proper design, manufacturing, and installation. However, when companies fail to ensure safety standards are met, the results can be catastrophic.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), thousands of children are injured each year in furniture tip-over incidents. According to data from the CPSC, furniture tip-overs have caused 234 fatalities between January 2000 and April 2022, with 199 of those fatalities involving children. Additionally, from 2006 through 2021, the CPSC estimates that 84,100 injuries related to clothing storage unit tip-overs were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, averaging approximately 5,300 injuries per year. In many cases, these injuries could have been prevented with safer designs or proper anchoring of furniture. Click here to see the CPSC’s latest furniture tip over data.

Liability in Furniture Injury Cases

In a furniture tip-over accident, there may be multiple parties who can be held liable, including:

• Manufacturers: If the furniture was defectively designed or did not include necessary safety features, such as anti-tip restraints or anchors, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the injuries caused.
• Retailers: If a retailer sold a defective piece of furniture or failed to provide safety instructions to consumers, they may also share liability for the accident.
• Property Owners: In some cases, property owners may be held liable if they failed to properly secure furniture or failed to warn visitors about potential hazards on their premises.

Our personal injury attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and identify all responsible parties. We will then build a strong case to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Florida Product Liability Laws

Under Florida’s product liability laws, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by defective products. This means that you do not need to prove negligence; it is enough to show that the product was defective and caused harm. At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we are well-versed in Florida’s legal statutes and will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

Florida’s statute of limitations for product liability claims is two years from the date of the accident (See HB 837). In cases involving wrongful death, the time limit is also two years. Acting quickly can make a significant difference in your case, so it is important to contact an experienced furniture injury attorney as soon as possible.

Florida Premises Liability and Property Owners’ Responsibilities

In addition to product liability claims, property owners may also be held liable for furniture tip-over accidents under Florida’s premises liability laws. If the incident occurred in a rental property, daycare, school, or business, and the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to secure furniture or warn of potential hazards, they may be liable for any injuries that occur on their premises.

For example, if a landlord or daycare center has heavy furniture in an area accessible to children and fails to properly secure it, they may be held responsible for any resulting injuries. Premises liability cases often arise when property owners fail to take the necessary precautions to prevent foreseeable dangers, especially when children are involved.

Notable Companies Involved in Furniture Tip-Over Incidents

Several well-known furniture manufacturers and retailers have faced legal claims and recalls due to tip-over hazards. The most prominent example is IKEA, which has been linked to multiple fatalities caused by unstable dressers tipping over. The company agreed to a $46 million settlement with the family of a California toddler who died when an IKEA Malm dresser tipped over. This was one of multiple similar incidents involving IKEA furniture, leading to multiple product recalls and a global effort by the company to promote furniture anchoring kits.

Other companies involved in tip-over incidents include:

• Target: Several pieces of furniture sold at Target have been recalled due to tip-over risks, including certain storage units and dressers.
• Walmart: Dressers sold at Walmart under various brand names have also been recalled due to tip-over hazards.
• Amazon: As a marketplace, Amazon has been involved in multiple cases where third-party sellers offered unstable or unsafe furniture, some of which led to severe injuries.
• Wayfair: Known for its wide range of home furnishings, Wayfair has also faced recalls for unstable furniture sold on its platform. A notable recall involved the Nantucket Distributing dressers, which were sold through Wayfair and did not comply with federal safety standards, presenting a significant risk of tipping over.
• Home Depot: The Home Decorators Collection brand sold by Home Depot has been subject to recalls for tip-over hazards. One recall included a three-drawer dresser that failed to meet voluntary safety standards, posing a danger to children and prompting customers to install wall-anchoring kits.
• Ashley Furniture: Ashley Furniture, one of the largest home furniture manufacturers in the U.S., has also faced issues related to unstable dressers. The company recalled its Chime 6-drawer dressers after they were linked to several tip-over incidents.

Common Injuries in Furniture Tip-Over Accidents

Furniture tip-overs can result in a wide range of injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Severe bruising and lacerations

In the most tragic cases, these accidents can lead to wrongful death, especially among young children. If you have lost a loved one due to a furniture tip-over accident, our firm is here to help you seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for their negligence.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida Due to Furniture Tip-Overs

If a family member tragically passed away due to a tip-over accident, survivors can file a wrongful death claim under The Florida Wrongful Death Act.

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Florida, a wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by the surviving family members of someone who has died due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of another party. This type of claim seeks financial compensation for the losses suffered by the surviving family members as a result of their loved one’s death. 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

To file a wrongful death claim in Florida, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must initiate the lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members. The family members who may recover damages include the deceased’s spouse, children, parents, and other relatives who were financially dependent on the deceased.

What Compensation is Available in Wrongful Death Claims?

Under Florida Statute § 768.21, the surviving family members of the deceased may recover various types of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses: Any medical bills incurred prior to the deceased’s passing.
• Funeral and burial expenses: Reasonable costs associated with laying the deceased to rest.
• Loss of support and services: The value of the financial contributions and household services that the deceased would have provided.
• Loss of companionship and protection: Surviving spouses and children can recover compensation for the emotional loss of a loved one.
• Lost wages and benefits: The family may be entitled to compensation for the income and benefits the deceased would have earned.
• Pain and suffering: Surviving family members can be compensated for their emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss of their loved one.

Free Consultation With a Furniture Tip Over Wrongful Death Lawyer

If your family has suffered the tragic loss of a loved one due to a furniture tip-over, you need an experienced Miami wrongful death lawyer by your side. At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have a deep understanding of Florida’s product liability and wrongful death laws, and we will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.

We understand that no amount of compensation can bring back your loved one, but a successful wrongful death claim can help ease the financial burden and provide some measure of justice. Our compassionate attorneys will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that your family’s rights are protected.

Contact us today at (305) 638-4143 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case.

Recent Furniture Recalls

Dania Furniture’s Hayden Bookcase Recall

In August 2023, the CPSC and Dania Furniture, based in Boise, Idaho, recalled the Hayden bookcase after it was identified as unstable if not properly anchored to the wall. The bookcase poses serious tip-over and entrapment risks, which could lead to injury or death. Tragically, Dania Furniture received one report of a tip-over incident involving an unanchored Hayden bookcase, resulting in the death of a 4-year-old child. This heartbreaking incident highlights the vital importance of securing heavy furniture to prevent future tragedies.

Cinmar’s Frontgate Resort Collection Newport Chaise Lounge Chair Recall

In June 2023, Cinmar, LLC voluntarily recalled approximately 70,000 pieces of Frontgate Resort Collection Newport chaise lounge chairs. The recall was initiated after reports of dangerous finger injuries related to the chaise lounge’s backrest. According to the CPSC, the backrest could unexpectedly descend with force while adjusting, creating finger crushing and amputation hazards. As of the recall date, three serious injuries were reported, including one individual who required surgery after their finger was crushed, and two others who suffered partial finger amputations.

New Age Furniture Tip Kit Recall

In 2023, millions of furniture tip kits designed to prevent tip-overs were recalled by the CPSC after it was discovered that the plastic zip ties used in the kits, manufactured by New Age Industries in Vietnam, could become brittle or weak. The faulty zip ties increased the risk of furniture detaching from the wall, posing potentially fatal fall hazards to children. Although no injuries have been reported, the CPSC received multiple reports of the product breaking. These kits, sold nationwide since November 2019, were meant to anchor furniture securely but instead posed their own safety risks.

Families are encouraged to stay informed about recalls and take proactive steps to secure their homes, especially when young children are present. If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe furniture, you may have grounds to file a legal claim and seek compensation for your injuries.

Why Choose Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm?

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we are committed to providing personalized, top-tier legal representation to each of our clients. Here’s why our firm stands out when it comes to handling personal injury and wrongful death cases in Florida:

• Small Caseload, Focused Attention: We purposely maintain a small caseload to ensure that each client receives the full attention and resources their case deserves. Unlike larger firms that juggle numerous cases at once, we provide dedicated, individualized support throughout the entire legal process.
• Millions Recovered for Our Clients: Our firm has a proven track record of success, having recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injury victims and their families. We fight aggressively to secure the compensation our clients need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
• Exclusive Focus on Personal Injury and Wrongful Death: At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we don’t spread ourselves thin across multiple practice areas. Our exclusive focus on personal injury and wrongful death cases means we have deep expertise in this area of law, allowing us to navigate even the most complex cases with skill and precision.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We believe that financial concerns should never prevent you from seeking justice. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal work without upfront costs.

Free Consultation With a Florida Furniture Tip Over Injury Attorney

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we are dedicated to representing victims and families who have been harmed by unsafe furniture. Whether you or a loved one has suffered injuries or a wrongful death due to a furniture tip-over, we are here to help you pursue justice and compensation.

With a deep understanding of Florida’s product liability and wrongful death laws, we are committed to holding negligent manufacturers, retailers, and property owners accountable. No matter how complex the case, our experienced legal team will fight for the financial recovery you need to ease the burden and move forward.

Our law firm specializes in personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, cruise ship injuries, slip and fall accidents, negligent security, and wrongful death claims. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to serving clients throughout the state of Florida, including Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Coral Gables, Kendall, Hialeah, Homestead, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and other surrounding areas.

If you’ve been affected by a furniture tip-over accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact us today for a free consultation at (305) 638-4143 . You won’t pay any fees unless we win your case, allowing you to focus on your family and recovery while we handle the legal complexities.

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