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Puerto Rico law

Product Liability Laws in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico product-liability claims arise under the 2020 Civil Code's extra-contractual liability provisions plus the Commerce Code and selected consumer-protection statutes. Puerto Rico does NOT have a Products Liability Act like most US states. Strict liability principles apply to manufacturers and sellers under caselaw derived from civil-law warranty (saneamiento) and fault principles. The 1-year statute of limitations applies. Puerto Rico's DACO (Consumer Affairs Department) provides administrative remedies for consumer product issues.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

1 year (tort); 6 months (hidden defects — redhibition)2020 Civil Code Arts. 1204, 1357

Extra-contractual (tort) product-liability claims: 1 year. Redhibitory (hidden defect) contractual claims against seller: 6 months from delivery.

State law

Key Puerto Rico Statutes

Extra-Contractual Liability2020 Civil Code Art. 1536

General tort framework applies to product-liability claims.

Redhibitory Warranty (Hidden Defects)2020 Civil Code Arts. 1357-1366 (saneamiento por vicios ocultos)

Civil-law warranty protecting buyers from hidden defects (vicios ocultos). Buyer may seek rescission of the contract (acción redhibitoria) or reduction of price (acción estimatoria) within 6 months of delivery.

Strict Liability (Caselaw)PR Supreme Court caselaw (Rivera v. Superior Packaging, Mendoza v. Cerveceria Corona, etc.)

Puerto Rico Supreme Court has developed strict-liability principles for defective products through caselaw derived from civil-law tradition. Manufacturer liable for injuries from defective products.

DACO Consumer Remedies3 L.P.R.A. §§ 341 et seq.

DACO provides administrative consumer-protection remedies for defective products purchased by individual consumers. Distinctive administrative-first approach.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico.

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