Whitney Cruz has vast experience representing manufacturers in product liability, toxic tort and warranty litigation, primarily within the automotive industry. With more than 10 years of experience, she has developed an effective rapport with key players in these areas of litigation, including Florida plaintiff's counsel and judges at the state and federal levels. Whitney strives to resolve every claim for her clients in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible, be it negotiating settlements or seeing a case through to trial.
Specific to her product liability practice, Whitney has defended against claims alleging catastrophic injury and wrongful death. As second-chair counsel she tried to verdict a product case on behalf of an international motor vehicle manufacturer involving allegations of vehicle components. Her cases have covered a wide range of defect allegations such as rollovers, crashworthiness, handling and stability, unintended acceleration roof structures, seat belts, air bags, steering systems, window glazing, fire origin, door latch integrity and brake systems.
Whitney represents many of these same automotive manufacturers in complex warranty litigation. She has handled several breach of warranty trials serving as first- and second-chair counsel. Her practice also encompasses asbestos litigation defending both friction and non-friction products. Whitney has developed a strong reputation and working relationship with both sides of the warranty and asbestos bar as well as the judges assigned to handle these respective dockets throughout the State of Florida. In addition to her robust product liability practice, Whitney volunteers her time to represent children in foster care. As a pro bono attorney ad litem, Whitney zealously advocates for the interests of children in dependency cases.