According to Florida case law as of the date of this article, a lounge chair is not a dangerous instrumentality which is defined as an item that by its nature is reasonably certain to place life and limb in peril when negligently constructed, such as an automobile:
“An implied warranty does not protect against hazards apparent to the plaintiff; it protects against an usual or apparent use. It does not protect against injury imposed while carelessly using a dangerous mechanism. A lounge chair is not a dangerous instrumentality. Dangerous instrumentalities have been defined as those which by nature are reasonably certain to place life and limb in peril when negligently constructed, such as airplanes, automobiles, guns and the like.
The chair in question is a rocking chair with moving parts; it rocks back and forth. It was constructed of aluminum and was used for rest and recreation; it looks harmless, every aspect of it suggested ease and comfort. There was no notice of any kind that beneath its restful armrest there were moving metal parts so constructed that they would amputate the occupant’s fingers with the ease that one clips a choice flower with pruning shears. It was designed, constructed and delivered to the public with these moving parts that were essential to its use. They were completely concealed from the user and as essential parts of the chair were inherently dangerous. No one would suspect that such a dangerous device would be concealed in such an innocent looking instrumentality.”
See: Matthews v. Lawnlite Co. – 88 So.2d 299 (1956)
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- Case Example of a Missing Safety Feature in a Crane Cab
- Examples of Product Liability Cases – Wheels and Tires
- Product Liability Attorney
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