Product Liability
Our extensive product liability experience allows early claim assessment and the development of a litigation plan aimed at achieving the client's goals. We work regularly with top engineers, scientists, and other professionals to evaluate the safety of products and the strength of product defect claims.
Claims alleging defects in product design, manufacture, and warnings are some of the most complicated and technical matters in the court system. Examples of our experience include numerous cases in the following areas:
- Fires and burn injuries
- Class actions
- Construction products
- Highly engineered processing equipment
- Natural gas and propane
- Toxic torts and chemical exposures
- Heavy equipment and construction equipment
- Consumer appliances
- Significant property loss
Product Liability Results
The following are a few examples of our recent experiences and successes:
- Defended manufacturer in Wisconsin case involving complicated fire origin and cause issues, a significant brain injury claim, and a dispute over successor liability with a co-defendant which had acquired certain assets from the manufacturer before the fire.
- In claims exceeding $20 million arising out of a fire in New England which consumed a manufacturing and warehouse facility, successfully defended allegations the fire was caused by the spontaneous combustion of components sold by the firm’s client.
- Obtained voluntary dismissal after disclosure of experts in Texas product liability action arising from a house fire. Plaintiff’s expert admitted his opinion – that the cause of the fire was the client’s component part – was unsupported by the evidence.
- Represented recreational boat component part manufacturer in wrongful death action tried out of state which arose from carbon monoxide poisonings allegedly caused by defects in design in which jury was asked to award over $200 million.
- Achieved a unanimous defense verdict for manufacturer of exercise equipment in action involving allegations of design and manufacturing defects alleged to have caused the fire.
- Defended product liability cases involving battery technologies such as lithium-ion, lead-acid and nickel–cadmium (NiCd) in which products were alleged causes of fires and acid burns.
- Achieved dismissal of tractor manufacturer in wrongful death claims allegedly caused by failure of equipment to include roll over protection system (ROPS).
- Successfully defended manufacturer whose tool allegedly resulted in a deadly explosion at a gun powder packaging facility. Following cross-examination of key engineering witnesses, achieved a nominal settlement for the manufacturer before costly international litigation ensued against the remaining defendant.
