Ayala Law recently secured a settlement agreement against a South Florida towing company and property owner for the full value of our client’s damages.

The case involved the towing of our client’s vehicle, despite having a valid parking pass, as well as substantial damages to our client’s vehicle, resulting in the need for immediate repairs.

Attorney Ryan M. Sawal had this to say, “This settlement is a testament to what efficient, goal-oriented litigation can look like. Our client had a case in which rapid response was a necessity, and through our team’s deliberate strategy, we were able to achieve a favorable result in record time.”

For more information about property damage disputes, contact an experienced attorney in Miami at 305-570-2208.

You can also contact our team directly at: arianna@ayalalawpa.com

Schedule a case evaluation online here.

[The opinions in this blog are not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about the particulars of your case].

We are pleased to announce that we successfully represented our appellant before Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal, securing a reversal of the trial court’s award of attorneys’ fees to the appellee, a homeowners association.

The appeal arose after the lower court granted attorneys’ fees to the association following a summary judgment ruling against our client in a towing-related dispute. Our team argued that there was no legal basis for the fee award because the underlying claim was not one for enforcement of a contractual right under the community’s governing documents, but rather a statutory claim regarding improper towing.

The appellate court agreed, concluding that the association was not entitled to attorneys’ fees under its recorded declaration. The court found that the litigation did not constitute enforcement of the declaration’s restrictions and that the fee provision did not apply to the nature of the underlying dispute, which was governed by Florida Statute § 715.07—not the association’s governing documents.

This decision reinforces the principle that attorneys’ fee provisions in recorded declarations must be strictly construed and only apply when litigation arises directly from or enforces the contractual terms they govern.

We commend the efforts of our litigation team on this result. The ruling not only protects our client from an unwarranted financial burden but also helps clarify the scope of attorneys’ fee entitlement in community association disputes across Florida.

We’ll continue to represent clients with diligence and strategic precision—both at the trial and appellate levels.

If you’re facing a legal dispute, contact an experienced attorney in Miami at 305-570-2208.

You can also contact trial attorney Eduardo A. Maura at eduardo@ayalalawpa.com.

Schedule a case evaluation online here.

[The opinions in this blog are not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about the particulars of your case].

Ayala is happy to share that it has obtained an $85,000 global settlement against a Miami towing company that towed and sold its clients’ vehicles.

The case involved the tow of two different vehicles from two different apartment complexes in Kendal by the same towing company. Even though both of Ayala’s clients were legal residents of the building, the towing company towed both vehicles. Not content with that, the towing company refused to return the vehicle to Ayala’s clients who were willing and able to pay the towing charges.

In one of the cases, Ayala’s client went as far as going to the “auction sale” and bid on their own vehicle. But the towing company did not allow Ayala’s client to bid on their own vehicle, saying the sale was over some five minutes after it opened.

As stated by attorney Eduardo A. Maura, “’Corrupt practices’ is an understatement. What these towing companies get away with is beyond belief. We are happy that, after a year litigating these companion cases, we were able to obtain our clients the full value of their vehicles.”

Attorney Ryan Sawal, who also litigated the case, stated, “We and our clients are very happy with the result. This is the result of not only a team effort, but of us building a strong lien law litigation practice. It is fair to say that we are experts in this area.”

For more information on vehicle liens and lien disputes in general, contact an experienced lien attorney in Miami at 305-570-2208.

You can also contact trial attorney Eduardo A. Maura at eduardo@ayalalawpa.com.

Schedule a case evaluation online here.

[The opinions in this blog are not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about the particulars of your case].

Imagine buying a product that you trust will work as intended, only to have it cause you harm due to a defect. It’s a scenario no one wants to face, but defective products injure thousands of people and their property every year.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the key legal standards for manufacturer liability, helping you understand your rights and what steps to take if you’re dealing with a defective product. 

What Does Manufacturer Liability for a Defective Product Mean?

Manufacturer liability refers to the legal responsibility a company has when its product causes harm due to defects in design, manufacturing, or marketing. These cases typically fall under products liability law, which is governed by both federal and state statute. The purpose of products liability law it to ensure that companies are held accountable for producing and selling unsafe or malfunctioning products. It’s important to remember when dealing with defective products, liability can extend to other parties in the supply chain, such as distributors and retailers.

Examples of Real-Life Product Liability Cases Litigated by Ayala Law

Case 1: Exploding Grills: Ayala Law brought a case on behalf of its client and a class of consumers who purchased grills from a producer. The Complaint alleged that the grills themselves were defectively designed as they did not allow for adequate ventilation for runoff liquid propane to dispel resulting in spontaneous combustion. You can read more about this case here. 

Case 2: Defective Gene Sequencing Unit: Ayala Law filed a lawsuit on behalf of its client alleging that the client paid over $300,000 for genetic sequencing equipment which was ultimately unusable. You can read more about this case here:

What Are the Types of Defects That Can Lead to Liability?

To determine whether a manufacturer is liable, it’s essential to understand the types of defects that can make a product dangerous:

1. Design Defects

• A design defect occurs when the product is inherently unsafe due to its design. Even if the product is manufactured correctly, the design itself makes it dangerous.
• Example: A household cleaning spray’s formula is discovered to expose users to cancer and other health complications.

2. Manufacturing Defects

• These defects happen during the production process, resulting in a product that doesn’t meet design specifications.
• Example: A batch of bicycles constructed with a missing connection in the brake line due to a manufacturing error.

3. Marketing Defects (Failure to Warn)

• Also called “failure to warn” or “inadequate instructions,” these defects occur when a product lacks proper warnings or instructions to ensure safe use.
• Example: A medication that doesn’t include warnings about dangerous side effects.

When Is a Manufacturer Strictly Liable for a Defective Product?

Florida follows a strict liability standard in product liability cases. This means that you don’t have to prove that the manufacturer was negligent; you only need to show that:

• The product was defective.
• The defect caused your injury.
• You were using the product as intended.

Strict liability makes it easier for injured consumers to hold manufacturers accountable without needing to prove fault or negligence.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Product Liability Case?

If you successfully prove your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• The Product Itself: Costs for replacing or reimbursing the user for a defective product.

• Medical Expenses: Costs for treating injuries caused by the defective product.
• Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence, you may also receive punitive damages to punish the manufacturer.

Need Help with a Defective Product Case? Contact Us!

If you or a loved one has been purchased what you believe to be a defective product, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. At Ayala Law, we specialize in holding manufacturers accountable for defective products, and will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve while guiding you through every step of the legal process.

If you need legal help with this issue, contact one of our attorneys at 305-570-2208. You can also email our attorney Eduardo A. Maura directly at eduardo@ayalalawpa.com.

We at Ayala Law PA are passionate about helping those in legal need, so please don’t hesitate to schedule a case evaluation with us online here.

[The opinions in this blog are not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about the particulars of your case].