Epic Hotel, LLC v. Culligan International Co.
Docket: No. 3D14-2142
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; March 25, 2015; Florida; State Appellate Court
The court affirmed the decision based on the application of the economic loss rule, which is limited to products liability cases. Key legal precedents cited include Tiara Condo. Ass’n, Inc. v. Marsh. McLennan Co. Inc. and Casa Clara Condo. Ass’n, Inc. v. Charley Toppino. Sons, Inc., emphasizing that the nature of a loss dictates the appropriate legal remedies. It is critical to assess the character of a loss by examining the product purchased by the plaintiff rather than the product sold by the defendant. Additionally, damage to a product is characterized by the product failing to meet customer expectations or providing insufficient value. The ruling aligns with the principles established in East River S.S. Corp. v. Transamerica Delaval, Inc., underscoring the focus on the expectations of the customer regarding the product's value.